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Gilbert  meets  Mr.  Vivian. 


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SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF ; 


OR, 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S  FORTUNES. 


S^ 


16 


BY 


HORATIO    ALGER,  Jr., 

author  op  "  kagged  dick,"  "  tattered  tom,"  "  luck  and  pluck," 
"brave  and  bold"  series. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PORTER    &    COATES. 


?p 


FAMOUS  ALGER  BOOKS. 

L  -  I  r-  

I  ,  ^"    I  ..  Illustrated f  Cloth,  Eoctra,  Black  and  Gold, 

';    RAGGED  DICK  SERIES.     Complete  in  six  vols.    Price  per  vol..  Si  25. 

Ragged  Dick ;  or,  Street  Life  in  New  York. 

Fame  and  Fortune ;  or,  The  Progress  of  Richard  Hunter. 

Mark  tlie  Match  Boy. 

Rough  and  Ready;  or,  Life  among  the  New  York  Newsboys. 

Ben  the  Luggage-Boy;  or,  Among  the  Wharves. 

Rufus  and  Rose;  or,  The  Fortunes  of  Rough  and  Ready. 

TATTERED  T()3I  SERIES.     A  Continuation  of  the  Ragged  Dick  Series. 
Price  per  vol.,  $1  25. 

First  Series.      Complete  in  four  vols. 

Tattered  Torn  ;  or,  The  Story  of  a  Street  Arab. 

Paul  the  Peddler;  or, The  Adventures  of  a  Young  Street  Merchant. 

Phil  the  Fiddler;  or,  The  Young  Street  Musician. 

Slow  and  Sure;  or,  From  the  Sidewalk  to  the  Shop. 

Second  Series.     Complete  in  four  vols. 

Julius;  or,  The  Street  Boy  out  West. 
The  Young  Outlaw  ;  or,  Adrift  in  the  World. 
Sam's  Chance,  and  How  he  Improved  It. 
The  District  Telegraph  Boy. 

CAMPAIGN  SERIES.     Complete  in  three  vols.     Price  per  vol.,  $1  26. 

Frank's  Campaign, 
Paul  Prescott's  Charge. 
Charlie  Codmau's  Cruise. 

LUCK  AND  PLUCK  SERIES.    Price  per  vol.,  $1  50. 

First  Series.    Complete  in  four  vols. 

Luck  and  Pluck ;  or,  John  Oakley's  Inheritance. 
Sink  or  Swim  ;  or,  Harry  Raymond's  Resolve. 
Strong  and  Steady  ;  or.  Paddle  your  Own  Canoe. 
Strive  and  Succeed  ;  or,  The  Progress  of  Walter  Conrad. 

Second  Series.     Complete  in  four  vols. 

Try  and  Trust;  or.  The  Story  of  a  Bound  Boy. 
Bound  to  Rise;  or.  How  Harry  Walton  Rose  in  the  World. 
Risen  from  the  Ranks;  or,  Harry  Walton's  Success. 
Herbert  Carter's  Legacy  ;  or.  The  Inventor's  Son. 

BRAVE  AND  BOLD  SERIES.  Complete  in  four  vols.  Price  per  vol.,  $1  50. 

Brave  and  Bold  ;  or,  The  Story  of  a  Factory  Boy. 
Jack's  Ward  ;  or.  The  Boy  (Guardian. 
Sliifting  for  Himself;  or,  Gilbert  Greyson's  Fortunes. 
Wait  and  Hope ;  or,  Ben  Bradford's  Motto. 

PACIFIC  SERIES.    Complete  in  four  vols.    Price  per  vol.,  U  25. 

The  Young  Adventurer  ;  or,  Tom's  Trip  across  the  Plains. 
The  Young  Miner;  or,  Tom  Nelson  in  California. 
The  Young  Explorers ;  or,  Among  the  Sierras. 

{Fourth  volume  in  preparation.) 


Copyright  by  A.  K.  Loring,  1876. 


;  X 


\ 

^ 


5V 


TO 


JOSEPH    T.    PRESTON, 

OF  NEW  YOKK, 

WHO    HONORABLY   REPRESENTS    THE    "ART    PRESERVATIVE    OP 

ALL  ARTS,"   WITHOUT   WHOSE   AID   AUTHORS   WOULD 

WRITE    TO    LITTLE    PURPOSE, 


is   Wolnmt  U   Bebicateb 


WITH  FRIENDLY  REGARD. 


PEEFAOE. 


-•o»- 


"  Shifting  for  Himself  "  records  the  ex- 
periences of  a  boy  who,  in  the  course  of  a 
preparation  for  college,  suddenly  finds  him- 
self reduced  to  poverty.  He  is  obliged  to 
leave  his  books,  and  give  up  his  cherished 
plans.  How  cheerfully  Gilbert  Greyson  ac- 
cepted the  situation,  and  settled  doA\ai  to  reg- 
ular work,  what  obstacles  he  encountered 
and  overcame,  and  what  degree  of  success 
he  met  with  in  the  end,  the  reader  of  this 
story   will   learn. 

Though  it  must  be  admitted  that  Gilbert 
was  more  fortunate  than  the  majority  of 
boys  in  his  position,  it  is  claimed  that  he 
displayed  qualities  which  may  wisely  be  im- 
itated  by   all    boys   who    are    called    upon   to 


Vi  PREFA  CE. 

shift  for  themselves.  In  the  last  three  years 
many  thousand  American  boys  have  been 
compelled,  like  Gilbert,  to  give  up  their 
cherished  hopes,  and  exchange  school-life  for 
narrow  means  and  hard  work.  Nothing  is 
more  uncertain  than  riches ;  and  such  cases 
are  liable  to  occur  at  all  times.  I  shall  be 
glad  if  the  story  of  Gilbert  Greyson  and 
his  fortunes  gives  heart  or  hope  to  any  of 
my  young  readers  who  are  similarly  placed. 
The  loss  of  wealth  often  develops  a  manly 
self-reliance,  and  in  such  cases  it  may  prove 
^  blessing   in   disguise. 

New  York,  Oct.  20,  1876. 


SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF; 

OB, 

GILBERT  GEEYSON'S  FOETUNES. 
CHAPTER  I. 

TWO   SCHOOL-FELLOWS. 

Dr.  Burton's  boarding-school  was  in  a  ferment 
of  hope  and  expectation.  To-mon^ow  was  the  end 
of  the  term,  and  vacation,  so  dear  to  the  heart  of 
every  school-boj,  was  close  at  hand. 

The  school  was  not  a  large  one.  There  were 
twenty-four  boarding  pupils,  and  an  equal  number 
of  day-scholars  from  the  village  of  Westville,  in 
which  the  school  had  been  established  twenty  yeai^ 
before.  It  was  favorably  situated,  being  only  forty 
miles  from  New  York.  Half  the  boarding-scholars 
were  from  the  city,  and  half  from  more  distant  places. 


10  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OB, 

Generally  two  or  three  pupils  were  sent  to  college 
each  year,  and,  as  the  principal  was  a  thorough 
scholar,  maintained  a  creditable,  often  a  high  rank. 

The  school-session  was  over,  and  the  boys  separated 
into  little  knots.  The  day-scholars  mostly  went  home, 
carrying  their  books  under  their  arms. 

Among  the  little  knots  we  must  direct  particular 
attention  to  two  boys,  one  a  boarding-scholar,  the 
other  a  day-scholar.  The  first  was  Gilbert  Greyson, 
a  handsome,  spirited  boy  of  sixte'en;  the  other,  John 
Munford,  of  about  the  same  age,  and  much  more 
plainly  di'essed.  John  was  the  son  of  a  carpenter, 
of  limited  means,  and  had  already  begun  to  learn 
his  father's  business.  But  the  father  was  sensible 
of  the  advantages  of  education,  and  had  permitted 
his  son  to  spend  six  months  of  each  year  at  school, 
on  condition  that  he  would  work  the  balance  of  the 
time.  This  arrangement  seemed  fair  to  John,  and 
he  took  care,  whether  he  studied  or  worked,  to  do 
both  in  earnest. 

''How  do  you  feci  about  vacation,  John?''  asked 
Gilbert. 


GILBERT  GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  11 

"  I  was  in  no  hurry  to  have  it  come,  Gilbert.  It 
is  likely  to  be  a  very  long  vacation  to  me." 

''How  so?" 

''I  have  got  through  my  school-life." 

''What!  Are  you  not  coming  back  next  term?" 
asked  Gilbert,  with  evident  disappointment,  for  John 
was  his  most  intimate  friend. 

"Neither  next  term,  nor  any  other  term,  Gilbert, 
I  am  sorry  to  say." 

"Have  you  finished  your  education,  then?" 

"  So  far  as  school  goes." 

"I  am  sorry  for  that.  I  shall  miss  you  more  than 
any  one  else." 

"We  shall  still  meet,  I  hope.  I  shall  be  at  work; 
but  there  will  be  times  —  in  the  evening  —  when  we 
can  see  each  other." 

"No  doubt;  but  that  won't  be  like  sitting  at  the 
same  desk,  and  studying  together.  You  had  better 
let  me  ask  your  father  to  send  you  one  more  year." 

John  shook  his  head. 

"No,  Gilbert,  it  ought  not  to  be.  My  father  is 
poor,  you  know,  and  it  has  been  a  sacrifice  to  him 


12  SHIFTING   FOR   niMSELF ;    OIJ, 

to  spare  me  half  the  year  thus  far.  ISTow  I  must  go 
to  work  in  earnest,  and  perfect  myself  in  my  trade, 
that  I  may  relieve  him  of  all  expense  on  my 
account." 

'^I  suppose  you  are  right,  John;  but  I  shall  miss 
you  none  the  less.  Somehow  I  never  could  be 
reconciled  to  your  becoming  a  carpenter.  You  are 
not  cut  out  for  it." 

''  Don't  you  think  I  will  make  a  good  one  ?  "  asked 
John,  smiling. 

"I  am  sure  you  will;  but  that  isn't  the  question. 
Do  you  think  you  are  better  fitted  for  that  than  for 
anything  else?" 

"No,  I  don't." 

''  Do  you  prefer  that  trade  to  any  other  business?  " 

"No;  but  I  can't  choose  for  myself  I  should 
rather  be  a  teacher,  or  a  lawyer ;  but  there  is  small 
chance  for  either.  For  either  I  should  be  obliged  to 
study  years,  and  I  can't  afford  to  do  that.  A  car- 
penter I  am  to  be,  and  I  will  try  to  make  a  good 
one.  Now,  your  case  is  different.  You  are  going 
to  school  next  year,  1  suppose?" 


GILBERT  GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  13 

"Yes,  I  suppose  so.  That  is  as  mj  guardian 
determines,  and  no  letter  has  been  received  from  him 
yet.  I  believe  Dr.  Burton  is  expecting  one  to-daj 
or  to-morrow." 

"You  won't  spend  the  summer  here,  I  suppose, 
Gilbert?" 

"I  am  hoping  to  make  a  little  tour,  as  I  did  last 
year." 

"  You  went  to  the  White  Mountains  then." 

"  Yes,  and  had  a  jolly  good  time." 

"  Where  will  you  go  this  year  ?  " 

"  I  want  to  go  to  Niagara,  stopping  on  the  way  at 
Saratoga.  I  have  estimated  that  I  can  do  it  for  a 
hundred  dollars,  —  the  same  that  my  last  summer's 
trip  cost  me." 

"It  must  be  splendid  to  travel,"  said  John,  enthu- 
siastically. "I  mean  to  see  something  of  the  world 
some  day,  though  I  suspect  that  I  shall  be  a  pretty 
old  boy  before  I  am  able  to.  I  have  no  guardian  te 
send  me  money.  I  must  earn  my  money  before  I 
spend  it." 

"  I  never  earned  a  dollar  in  my  life,"  said  Gilbert 


14  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

"I  wonder  how  it  would  seem  if  I  had  to  support 
myself,  cand  make  mj  own  way  in  the  world." 

''  It  would  seem  hard  at  first.  It  comes  natural  to 
me ;  but  then  I  have  been  differently  brought  up  from 
you." 

"I  rather  envy  you,  John,"  said  Gilbert,  thought- 
fully. "You  are  so  much  more  self-reliant,  so  much 
better  able  to  take  care  of  yourself" 

''It's  the  difference  in  the  training,  Gilbert.  I've 
no  doubt  it's  in  you;  but  cii'cumstances  have  never 
brought  it  out.  You  expect  to  go  to  Yale  College 
a  year  hence,  don't  you?" 

"I  expect  to;  at  least  that  has  been  Dr.  Burton's 
plan ;  but  my  guardian  has  never  expressed  his  opinion. 
He  has  simply  given  his  consent  to  my  pursuing  the 
course  preparatory  to  entrance.  I  presume  I  shall 
go,  however." 

"  What  sort  of  a  man  is  your  guardian?  " 

"I  have  never  seen  much  of  him.  He  lives  in 
the  city,  you  know ;  but  he  never  seemed  to  care  to 
have  me  in  his  home  much.  He  is  a  merchant,  and 
appears  to  be  wealthy.     At  any  rate,  he  lives  in  a 


GILBERT   GREYS0N''S  FORTUNES.  15 

fine  house  up-towDj  and  keeps  up  a  good  style  of 
living." 

"  Who  appointed  him  your  guardian?  '^ 

*'  I  don't  know.     I  suppose  my  father." 

''  Is  your  father  living  ?  " 

'a  don't  know." 

*' Don't  know  !  "  exclaimed  John,  opening  his  eyes. 

"It  seems  strange  to  you;  but  I  cannot  give  any 
explanation.  My  guardian  tells  me  I  shall  know 
some  time;  meanwhile  I  am  to  ask  no  questions." 

"  Did  that  satisfy  you  ?  " 

"No;  but  when  I  pressed  my  question  I  was 
silenced.  I  was  told  that  I  must  be  satisfied  with 
being  so  well  provided  for,  without  trying  to  pene- 
trate into  matters  that  did  not  concern  me.'^ 

"  I  should  think  it  did  concern  you." 

"So  I  do  think ;  but  there  is  no  use  in'  thinkinoj 
about  it.     It  would  only  perplex  me  to  no  purpose.'^ 

"  I  can't  put  myself  in  your  place  at  aU.  To  me 
it  seems  so  natural  to  have  a  father  and  mother,  and 
sister.     How  lonely  you  must  feel !  " 

"I  have  never  been  used  to  them.     And  that 


16  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OR, 

makes  a  difference.  Sometimes,  to  be  sure,  I  begin 
to  think  over  the  matter  and  wish  that  I  had  ties  like 
other  bojs;  but  it  doesn't  last  long.  But  here  we 
are  at  jour  home." 

"  Come  in  a  minute,  Gilbert." 

^'I  don't  know  if  I  ought.  I  shall  be  late  to 
supper,  and  the  doctor  wouldn't  like  that." 

^'  Take  supper  with  us." 

''Yes,  take  supper  with  us,"  echoed  John's  mother, 
u  pleasant,  motherly-looking  woman,  who  heard  her 
son's  words  of  invitation  as  he  opened  the  door. 

Gilbert  hesitated. 

The  little  table  spread  for  tea  looked  so  much  more 
comfortable  and  home-like  than  the  long  table  at 
the  doctor's,  that  he  was  strongly  tempted. 

''We  may  not  have  as  nice  a  supper  as  the  doctor," 
continued  Mrs.  Munford,  "but  you  may  not  mind 
that  for  once." 

"You  give  the  doctor's  table  too  much  credit," 
said  Gilbert,  smiling.  "  lie  doesn't  mean  to  pamper 
any  of  us,  or  make  us  gluttons.  I  would  a  great 
deal  rather  take  supper  here." 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S  FORTUNES,  17 

*' Then  Stay,  Gilbert." 

'•I  will,"  said  Gilbert,  in  a  tone  of  quick  decision. 
*'If  the  doctor  scolds,  why  let  him." 

"  He  won't  feel  anxious  about  your  not  being  back, 
will  he?"  asked  Mrs.  Munford. 

''  No ;  he  knows  I  can  take  pretty  good  care  of 
myself.  Besides,  it  will  be  a  saving  to  him,  all  the 
more  because  I  have  a  very  good  appetite." 

All  laughed,  for  Dr.  Burton,  though  on  the  whole 
a  very  worthy  man,  had  the  reputation  of  being  what 
New  Englanders  call  close.  It  was  thought  that  he 
was  more  economical  than  he  needed  to  be.  At  any 
rate  he  had  made  his  school  profitable,  and  was 
assessed  for  a  very  considerable  sum  in  the  list  of 
village  property-holders. 

i'How  do  you  do,  Mary?"  said  Gilbert,  ofiering 
his  hand  to  a  girl  of  ten,  John's  sister,  who  just  then 
entered  the  room. 

"Pretty  well,"  said  Mary,  shyly. 

"  Don't  blush  so,  Mary,"  said  John,  teasing  her  aa 
brothers  are  apt  to  do. 

"  I  wasn't  blushing,"  said  Mary,  indignantly. 

2 


18         SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OR 

"Just  because  Gilbert  spoke  to  you." 

"  You  are  too  bad,  John,"  said  his  mother. 

"  How  soon  will  supper  be  ready,  mother?  "  asked 
John. 

"In   half   an   hour.      Why;    are   you    very   im- 
patient?" 

"  No;  but  I  thought  there  might  be  time  for  Gil- 
bert and  me  to  have  a  catch  in  the  yard." 

"I'll  tell  you  of  a  better  way  of  filling  up  your 
time."  I 

"What  is  that?" 

"  I  am  almost  out  of  wood.  Can't  you  saw  me  up 
a  little?" 

"  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  dull  to  Gilbert  to  look  on," 
said  John. 

"I  don't  propose  to  look  on.  You  shall  saw,  and  I 
will  split." 

"I  don't  like  to  set  a  visitor  to  work,"  said  Mrs. 
Munford.  "  I  didn't  expect  you  to  work  for  your 
supper." 

"  I  shall  enjoy  it  all  the  more.     Come  along,  John. 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES,  19 

You'll  see  what  execution  I  will  make  with  your 
wood-pile." 

As  the  two  bojs  passed  out  into  the  woodshed,  Mrs. 
Munford  said,  "  I  like  Gilbert.  Though  he  is  rich, 
he  doesn't  put  on  any  airs,  but  makes  himself  at 
home  even  among  such  plain  people  as  we  are  " 


20  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OB, 


CHAPTER  n. 


THE   guardian's  LETTER. 


When  supper  was  over,  the  boys  took  a  walk, 
bringing  round  by  the  large  square  house  occupied  by 
Dr.  Burton  for  his  boarding-school.  They  had  got 
within  a  few  rods  when  John  observed  one  of  the 
younger  boys  running  towards  them. 

"There's  little  Evans,"  he  said.  ''He  looks  as  if 
he  had  a  message  for  you,  Gilbert.'' 

''  From  the  doctor,  I  suppose.  I'm  in  for  a  scold- 
ing, probably." 

By  this  time  Evans  had  reached  them. 

"You're  wanted,  Greyson,"  he  said.  "Why 
weren't  you  home  to  supper?  " 

"  Is  the  doctor  mad  ?  " 

"I  don't  know.     He  seems  anxious  to  see  you." 

"All  right.     Then  I'll  go  in.     I  must  bid  you 


GILBERT    GREYSON'S  FORTUNES.  21 

good-night,    John.     Business    before    pleasure,   you 
know,  or  rather  business  after  pleasure." 

''  I  hope  the  business  won't  be  serious." 

''I  hope  not.     Good-night." 

''  Good-night,  Gilbert." 

There  was  a  small  room  about  twelve  feet  square, 
which  was  known  as  Dr.  Burton's  study.  There  was 
a  desk  beside  the  window,  and  book-shelves  occupying 
the  sides  of  the  room.  Hither  it  was  that  refractory 
or  disobedient  pupils  were  summoned,  to  receive 
admonition  from  the  principal.  In  his  early  experi- 
ence as  teacher  he  had  employed  a  sterner  sort  of 
discipline,  but  later  he  had  substituted  words  for 
blows  —  very  wisely,  as  I  think. 

Gilbert  went  at  once  to  the  doctor's  study. 

Dr.  Burton  was  a  tall,  spare  man,  with  strongly 
marked  features,  and  on  the  whole  rather  a  stern  face. 
He  looked  toward  the  door  as  Gilbert  opened  it. 

"  Good-evening,  sir,"  said  Gilbert. 

*'  You  were  absent  from  supper  without  notice  or 
permission,  Greyson,"  the  doctor  began. 

"Yes,  sir." 


22  SSIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OB, 

*'  Where  were  you?  " 

''I  walked  home  with  John  Munford,  and  wa3 
invited  to  take  supper  there." 

*'  I  should  have  had  no  objection,  if  jou  had  asked 
me.  John  Munford  is  one  of  mj  most  reliable  pupils, 
both  in  study  and  deportment." 

Gilbert  was  pleased  at  this  commendation  of  his 
friend.  ■  , 

''  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me  for  absence  without 
permission,"  he  said,  apologiziiig  with  a  good  grace. 

"You  are  excused.  Grey  son." 

Supposing  that  the  interview  was  over,  Gilbert 
bowed,  and  was  about  to  leave  the  room,  but  was 
stopped  by  the  doctor. 

"  Stay,"  he  said;  "I  have  something  more  to  say 
to  you." 

"What  else  have  I  done?"  thought  Gilbert,  in 
surprise. 

"  Sit  down,"  said  the  teacher. 

Gilbert  seated  himself. 

"  How  long  have  you  been  here,  Greyson?  " 

"  Six  years,  sir." 


GILBERT   GRETSON'S   FORTUNES,  23 

''  In  a  year  more  jou  would  be  ready  for  college," 
gaid  the  doctor,  musing. 

*'  Why  does  he  say  '  would '  ?  Why  not  '  will '  ?  " 
thought  Grey  son. 

''  Am  I  to  go  to  college?  "  asked  Gilbert. 

"I  thought  it  probable;  but  I  have  just  learned 
that  your  guardian  has  other  views  for  you." 

'•Have  you  a  letter  from  my  guardian?"  asked 
Gilbert,  eagerly. 

"  Yes ;  it  only  reached  me  this  afternoon.  Would 
you  like  to  read  it?  " 

"Very  much,  sir." 

''  Here  it  is,"  said  Dr.  Burton,  opening  his  desk, 
and  drawing  therefrom  a  letter  enclosed  in  a  buff 
envelope. 

Gilbert  quickly  reached  out  for  it. 

This  was  the  material  portion  of  the  letter,  which 
Gilbert  read  with  hurried  interest :  — 

"  Circumstances  will  not  permit  my  ward  remain- 
ing with  you  another  year.  I  may  say  plainly  that, 
should  he  do  so,  I  should  be  compelled  to  defray  the 


24  SHIFTING   FOB   HIMSELF;    OR, 

expense  out  of  my  own  poclcet,  and  consideration  for 
mj  own  family  will  not  justify  me  in  doing  that.  I 
have  never,  as  you  know,  promised  positively  that  he 
should  go  to  college.  It  was  barely  possible  that 
funds  would  be  forthcoming  which  would  admit  of 
such  a  course ;  but  it  is  now  quite  certain  that  there  is 
no  chance  of  it. 

"  He  has  already,  as  I  should  judge  from  your 
letters,  considerably  more  than  an  average  education, 

—  more,  indeed,  than  I  had  when  I  began  my  career, 

—  and  he  ought  to  be  satisfied  with  that.  He  has 
led  an  easy  life  hitherto.  Now  it  is  time  that  he  did 
something  for  himself  Upon  receipt  of  this  letter, 
will  you,  as  soon  as  may  be,  send  him  to  me  in  New 
York?  I  will  then  confer  with  him  as  to  his  future 
plans." 

This  letter  was  signed  Richard  Briggs. 

Gilbert  read  it  with  a  mixture  of  feelings.  He 
was  making  an  unpleasant  discovery.  Though  he 
knew  little  about  his  own  affairs,  he  had  always 
cherished  the  idea  that  he  had  considerable  property, 


GILBERT   GHEYSON's  FORTUNES.  25 

and  that  his  path  in  life  would  be  smoothed  as  only 
money  can  smooth  it.  He  was  not  especially  fond  of 
money,  nor  did  he  ever  presume  on  its  supposed  pos- 
session, but  it  was  certainly  comfortable  to  think  that 
he  was  not  poor. 

Now  it  appeared  that  he  had  been  all  his  life  under 
a  mistake.  He  was  not  a  favored  child  of  fortune 
after  all,  but  a  poor  boy,  —  as  poor,  very  likely,  as  his 
friend  John  Munford,  from  whom  he  had  just  parted. 
No  wonder  he  looked  with  some  bewilderment  in  the 
doctor's  face  when  he  had  completed  reading  the  letter. 

The  doctor,  though  a  stern  man,  felt  for  the  boy's 
disappointment.  He,  too,  had  been  under  the  impres- 
sion that  Gilbert  was  at  least  comfortably  provided 
for. 

"  Well,  Grey  son,"  he  said,  "  I  suppose  this  letter 
surprises  you." 

"  Yes,  sir,  it  does,"  answered  Gilbert,  slowly.  ''  I 
always  supposed  that  I  had  money  to  depend  upon." 

''I  don't  like  to  reflect  upon  your  guardian,  but  it 
seems  to  me  he  ought  to  have  apprised  you  before- 
hand of  what  you  had  to  expect." 


26  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    01?, 

"  I  wish  he  had." 

"Do  jou  feel  very  much  disappointed?"  asked 
the  doctor,  eying  his  pupil  with  interest. 

"Considerably,  sir.  It  is  hard  to  fancy  myself  a 
poor  boy,  with  my  own  way  to  make  in  the  world." 

"It  might  have  been  worse.  You  have,  as  your 
guardian  suggests,  more  than  an  average  education." 

"  Thanks  to  you,  sir." 

"And  to  your /Own  application,"  added  the  doctor, 
gratified  by  this  tribute. 

"  I  am  glad  you  think  so,  sir.  I  hope  it  will  help 
me  in  life." 

"  Undoubtedly  it  will.  Besides,  you  will  have  the 
influence  of  your  guardian  to  assist  you.  He  will 
probably  procure  you  a  good  place  in  some  counting- 


room." 


"I  wish  he  had  told  me  something  about  myself ; 
where  the  money  came  from  which  had  paid  my  bills 
hitherto." 

Gilbert  looked  inquiringly  at  the  doctor,  as  if  to 
ask  whether  he  could  throw  any  light  upon  these 
points.     But  he  was  destined  to  be  disappointed,  for 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  27 

the  doctor  said,  ''He  has  not  seen  fit  to  take  me  into 
his  confidence.  I  know  no  more  than  jou  do  on  this 
subject.  Perhaps,  in  your  approaching  interview  with 
him,  he  may  give  jou  information  on  the  subject." 

"  I  will  ask  him,  at  all  events,"  said  Gilbert. 
"When  do  you  think  it  best  that  I  should  leave,  Dr. 
Burton?" 

''He  wishes  you  to  be  sent  '  as  soon  as  may  be,'  " 
said  the  doctor,  consulting  the  letter.  "  I  should 
think  you  had  better  go  to-morrow,  or  the  next 
day." 

"I  will  go  to-morrow,"  said  Gilbert,  promptly. 

"  Can  you  get  ready  so  soon?  " 

"I  will  pack  to-night,  sir." 

"  That  shall  be  as  you  wish.  If  you  would  prefer 
to  wait  till  another  day,  you  can  of  course  do  so." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  but  I  want  to  see  my  guardian 
as  soon  as  possible.  Will  you  permit  me,  as  the  cars 
start  early  to-morrow,  to  go  to-night,  and  bid  good- 
by  to  John  Munford  ?  " 

Under  ordinary  circumstances  Dr.  Burton  would 
have  declined  this  application,  but  he  felt  that  it  was 


28  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

only  natural,  and  he  gave  the  required  permission 
without  hesitation. 

John  Munford  was  astonished  when,  on  opening  the 
front  door,  he  saw  the  school-fellow  from  whom  he 
had  so  recently  parted. 

'^  What's  the  matter,  Gilbert?"  he  asked;  "has 
anything  happened  ?  " 

"Yes,"  answered  Gilbert.  "Get  your  hat  and 
take  a  walk  with  me.     I'll  tell  you  on  the  way." 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  29 


CHAPTER  m. 

RICHARD   BRIGGS. 

Gilbert  told  his  story  briefly. 

"  So  you  see,"  he  said  in  conclusion,  ''my  position 
is  like  yours,  after  all.  I  am  thrown  upon  my  own 
exertions,  and  must  face  the  world,  without  the  help 
of  money." 

"I'm  truly  sorry,"  said  John,  in  a  tone  of  sym- 
pathy. 

"  Thank  you,  John ;  I  knew  you  would  be ;  but  do 
you  know,  I  am  not  sure  whether  I  am  so  very  sorry 
myself." 

"But  it  must  be  hard  for  you  to  give  up  the 
hope  of  wealth." 

"  I  needn't  give  up  the  hope,"  said  Gilbert,  "only 
if  the  hope  is  to  be  realized  I  shall  have  to  make  it 
for  myself     As  far  as  that  goes  I  am  no  worse  off 


30  SHIFTING   FOE   HIMSELF;    OR, 

than  }'ou ;  but  there  is  one  advantage  you  have  over 


me." 


'You  are  a  better  scholar  than  I  am." 
''  I   don't   mean   that.     You   have    a    father   and 
mother  and  sister  to  encourage  you,   while   I  have 


no  one." 


"You  have  a  friend,  Gilbert;  but  he  can't  help 
you  much." 

^'I  know  that,  old  fellow.  You  have  been  my 
most  intimate  friend  for  the  last  three  years,  and 
I  hope  and  believe  that  our  friendship  is  going  to 
last.     But  I  can't  help  feeling  alone  in  the  world." 

"  Why  don't  you  ask  your  guardian  about  your 
father?" 

''I  mean  to;   but  I    don't  believe   he   will    tell 


me." 


"  Have  you  any  idea  what  views  he  has  for  you?  " 

' '  Not  the  slightest.  I  suppose  he  will  provide 
me  with  a  place  somewhere." 

"  Then  you  are  entirely  in  the  dark  as  to  your 
prospects?" 

"Entirely  so." 


GILBERT   GREY  son's   FORTUNES,  31 

"  I  wish  jou  would  write  to  me,  Gilbert,  after  you 
/re  settled.     I  shall  want  to  know  all  about  it." 

"I  will  certainly  write.  In  fact,  you  will  be  my 
only  correspondent.  You  must  write  me  about 
yourself,  too." 

"  There  won't  be  much  to  write.  My  life  will 
be  uneventful.  But  you  may  like  to  hear  news  of 
the  village  and  the  school,  that  is,  after  vacation  is 
over.  I'll  write  all  that  I  think  will  interest 
you." 

"Thank  you.  You  may  be  sure  I  shall  want  to 
hear.  And  now,  John,  I  must  bid  you  good-night, 
and  good-by,  for  I  am  to  start  early  in  the  morning, 
and  have  not  yet  packed  my  trunk." 

''  Good-night,  then.  Take  care  of  youi'self,  Gil- 
Wt." 

"The  same  to  you,  John." 

So  the  two  boys  parted,  but  they  saw  each  other 
jnce  more.  As  Gilbert  was  about  to  get  into  the 
cars,  John  came  up  hurriedly  and  gave  him  a 
farewell  shake  of  the  hand. 

"He's  a  capital    fellow,"    thought    Gilbert.     "I 


32  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 

hope  he'll  have  good  luck,  and  that  we  shall   meet 


again  soon." 


An  hour  and  a  half  brought  our  hero  to  the  citj. 
He  stepped  upon  the  platform,  and  getting  upon  a 
horse-car  rode  down- town  to  his  guardian's  office.  He 
had  a  check  for  his  trunk,  but  did  not  claim  it  at 
once,  not  feeling  certain  what  would  be  his  destination. 

In  a  busy  street,  not  five  minutes'  walk  from  Wall 
Street,  was  the  office  of  Richard  Briggs.  Gilbert 
had  no  trouble  in  finding  it,  for  he  had  been  there 
before.  Now,  however,  he  had  a  new  feeling  as  he 
entered  the  handsomely  fitted-up  room.  He  was  no 
longer  the  wealthy  ward,  but  as  it  appeared  the 
humble  dependent  of  the  rich  merchant  whom  he 
was  to  meet.  The  change  was  not  an  agreeable 
one,  but  he  had  made  up  his  mind  that  he  must 
fiice  whatever  was  disagreeable  in  his  jx)sition  in  a 
manly  way. 

"Is  Mr.  Briggs  in?''  he  inquired,  of  a  clerk 
who  was  writing  at  a  desk. 

"  Yes ;  but  I  don't  know  if  he  will  see  you." 

"He  sent  for  me." 


GILBERT   GHEYSON's   FORTUNES.  33 

''  Oh,  did  he  ?     Well,  he's  in  there." 

The  clerk  pointed  to  an  inner  room,  partitioned 
off  from  the  main  office. 

Gilbert  approached  it,  and  as  the  door  was  par- 
tially open  entered,  and,  removing  his  hat,  said, 
''  Good-morning,  Mr.  Briggs." 

Mr.  Briggs  was  a  short  man,  inclined  to  be  cor- 
pulent, with  marked  .features. 

He  turned  as  he  heard  Gilbert's  salutation. 

''  So  you  received  my  letter,"  he  said. 

"  Dr.  Burton  did." 

"'Yes,  I  wrote  to  him.     It's  all  the  same." 

''  I  thought  I  had  better  come  up  at  once,  sir." 

'•  You  did  right." 

''I  was  rather  surprised  at  what  your  letter  con- 
tained.    Dr.  Burton  let  me  read  it." 

"You  fancied  yourself  rich?"  said  the  merchant, 
coldly. 

"  Yes,  sir;  I  had  always  been  led  to  suppose  so." 

"  I  never  told  you  so." 

''  You  did  not  tell  me  I  was  poor,  and  would  have 
to  make  my  own  way." 


34  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"You  complain  of  that,  do  jou?"  demanded  Mr. 
Briggs,  frowning. 

"  I  wish  I  had  known  it  before." 

"  It  wasn't  necessary  to  tell  you.  As  to  that,  my 
judgment  is  of  course  superior  to  yours.  You  un- 
derstand, do  you,  that  you  must  now  go  to  work?  " 

"  I  am  ready,  sir." 

"Have  you  improved  your  time  while  at  school?" 

"  Dr.  Burton  could  tell  you  better  than  I  as  to 
that." 

"He  would  be  more  reliable,  of  course.  Still  you 
must  have  some  idea.  Give  me  your  own  impres- 
sions.    If  you  misrepresent,  I  shall  find  you  out." 

"  I  shall  not  misrepresent,  sir." 

"Of  course  not,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  ironically.  "  I 
suppose  you  were  a  model  scholar." 

"No;  I  was  not;  but  I  think  I  did  pretty  well." 

"What  do  you  know?" 

"I  can  tell  you  how  far  I  have  been  in  my 
studies.  I  have  been  so  far  in  Latin  and  Greek  that 
in  another  year  —  perhaps  less  —  I  should  be  pre- 
pared for  Yale  College." 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S  FORTUNES.  35 

"  You  won't  go  there.  You  can't  expect  me  to 
pay  your  expenses/' 

"I  don't,"  said  Gilbert,  promptly.  "I  was  only 
trying  to  give  you  an  idea  of  what  I  knew." 

"  Very  well.     Are  you  good  in  arithmetic?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

''  How  far  have  you  been  ?  " 

"  Through  the  book." 

*'  That  is  well.     How  do  you  write  ?  " 

''  Shall  I  give  you  a  specimen  of  my  writing,  sir?  " 

"Yes.  Here  is  a  pen.  Write  anything  you  like. 
You  may  copy  the  first  three  lines  of  this  newspaper 
article." 

Gilbert  did  so. 

"  That  will  do  very  well.  You  don't  write  rapidly 
enough,  but  you  will  in  time.  I  shall  get  you  a 
place  as  soon  as  possible.     Where  is  your  trunk  ?  " 

"At  the  depot." 

"  You  can  have  it  sent  to  my  house.  You  will 
stay  tliere  till  I  can  get  you  a  boarding-place  or 
make  some  other  arrangement  for  you.  Do  you 
know  where  I  live?" 


36  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OH, 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Give  your  check  to  an  expressman,  and  tell  him 
to  bring  it  round.  Stay,  here  is  mj  son.  I  will 
put  you  in  his  charge." 

A  boy,  about  Gilbert's  age,  had  just  entered  the 
office.  He  was  the  counterpart  of  his  father,  and  no 
one  could  be  likely  to  mistake  the  relationship.  He 
glanced  at  Gilbert,  but  did  not  speak. 

"  Randolph,  this  is  Gilbert^  Greyson,"  said  his 
father. 

"Good-morning,"  said  Randolph,  curtly.  "Father, 
I  want  five  dollars." 

"What  for?  It  seems  to  me  you  are  always 
wanting  money." 

"  Everybody  needs  money,"  said  the  son,  pertly. 
"  I  want  to  go  to  a  matinee  this  afternoon." 

"I  want  you  to  go  with  Gilbert;  he  is  going  to 
stop  with  us  a  short  time." 

"He's  old  enough  to  take  care  of  himself,"  said 
Randolph,  unpleasantly. 

"  I  can  get  along  by  myself,"  said  Gilbert,  quickly. 
"  I  don't  want  to  trouble  your  son." 


GILBERT   GREY  son's  FORTUNES.  37 

There  was  no  great  self-denial  in  this.  It  did  not 
seem  to  our  hero  that  he  should  particularly  enjoy 
Randolph's  companionship. 

''  At  any  rate  you  can  go  with  him  to  the  office  of 
Adams'  Express.     He  wants  to  send  for  his  trunk." 

"Will  you  give  me  the  five  dollars,  then?'' 

"  Here  it  is.     Don't  come  again  for  a  week." 

"All  right.  Come  along,  whatever  your  name 
is." 

This  last  polite  invitation  was  addressed  to  our 
hero,  who  answered,  shortly,  "My  name  is  Gilbert 
Grey  son." 

"Well,  come  along.     I'm  in  a  hurry." 

When  they  had  reached  the  street,  Randolph's 
curiosity  led  him  to  say,  "  I  thought  you  were  at 
school." 

"  So  I  was ;  but  your  father  sent  for  me." 

" He's  your  guardian,  isn't  he?  " 

"  So  I  thought ;  but  he  tells  me  I  have  no  money, 
and  must  work  for  my  living." 

"Oh,  indeed!"  said  Randolph,  superciliously. 
"That's  quite  a  different  matter." 


38  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

Gilbert  didn't  like  his  tone,  but  did  not  want  to 
quarrel  without  cause. 

They  walked  on  without  further  conversation. 

Presently  Randolph  said,  ''  There's  the  express 
office.     Now  you  can  look  after  yourself." 

He  darted  off,  and  Gilbert  entered  the  office,  not 
Borry  tc  be  rid  of  his  uncongenial  companion. 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S  FORTUNES,  39 


CHAPTER  IV. 

GILBERT  MAKES  A  NEW  ACQUAINTANCE. 

Having  arranged  about  his  trunk,  Gilbert  took 
one  of  the  University-Place  cars  at  the  Astor  House, 
and  rode  up- town.  Mrs.  Briggs  might  not  know  of 
his  coming,  and  the  trunk  might  be  refused. 

The  house  was  a  four-story  brown-stone  front,  with 
English  basement,  diiOfering  in  no  wise  from  the  thou- 
sands of  fashionable  mansions  to  be  seen  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  city. 

Gilbert  rang  the  bell. 

"Is  Mrs.  Briggs  at  home?"  he  inquired  of  the 
servant,  who  answered  the  bell. 

*^  I  don't  know,  sir.  I'll  see.  Will  you  send 
your  name?  " 

Gilbert  drew  out  a  neat  visiting-card  bearing  his 
name.  The  servant  took  it,  and  carried  it  to  her 
mistress. 


40  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

"  Take  a  seat  in  the  parlor,  sir,"  she  said,  on  her 
return.     "  Mrs.  Briggs  will  be  down  directly." 

The  large  parlor  was  showily  furnished,  in  the 
regulation  style.  There  was  a  chilly  splendor  about 
it  that  carried  with  it  no  idea  of  comfort  or  home 
feeling.  Gilbert's  attention  was  drawn  to  a  family 
portrait  near  the  front  windows.  There  were  three 
figures,  —  Mr.  Briggs,  Randolph,  and  a  lady,  who~ 
was  probably  Mrs.  Briggs.  She  had  a  high  fore- 
head, a  thin  face,  cold  blue  eyes,  and  pinched  lips. 
Gilbert  privately  decided  that  he  should  not  like  the 
original  of  that  portrait. 

While  he  was  examining  it  Mrs.  Briggs  entered. 

"  Mr.  Greyson?  "  she  asked,  in  a  chilly  way. 

''  Yes,  madam." 

^'  I  believe  I  have  not  met  you  before.     You  are 
Mr.  Briggs'  ward  or  prot^g6?  " 

''Yes,  madam." 

"I  thought  you  were  at  a  boarding-school   some- 
where in  the  country." 

"  So  I  have  been,  madam ;  but  the  term  is  at  an 
end,  and  Mr.  Briggs  sent  for  me  to  come  to  the  city." 


morning : 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  41 

"  Indeed !  Have  you  seen  Mr.  Briggs  this 
?" 

"  Yes,  madam.  It  is  by  his  direction  that  I  have 
ordered  my  trunk  brought  here" 

The  lady  arched  her  eyebrows  slightly. 

"  Then  you  propose  to  favor  us  with  a  visit,"  she 
said. 

There  was  a  slight  emphasis  on  the  word  favor, 
which  Gilbert  felt  to  be  a  sneer. 

"I  am  at  Mr.  Briggs'  disposal,"  he  answered. 
"  He  ordered  me  to  come  here  first.  I  hope  I  may 
not  give  you  any  trouble." 

'•  Oh,  no;  you  will  excuse  my  remaining  with  you 
—  I  have  an  euGras^ement.  I  will  tell  the  servants  to 
receive  your  trunk,  and  put  it  in  your  room.  Our 
lunch  will  be  ready  at  one  o'clock." 

"Thank  you,"  said  Gilbert,  hastily;  "I  think  I 
shall  not  be  here  at  lunch.  I  want  to  go  about  the 
city." 

It  was  eleven  o'clock;  and  he  was  sure  he  could 
not  kill  the  time  in  that  frigid  parlor  for  two 
hours. 


42  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

^'Yeiy  well  J "  said  Mrs.  Briggs;  "then  we  shall 
see  jou  at  dinner.     Our  dinner-hour  is  six." 

"  Thank  jou,  madam." 

"  If  JOU  come  earlier,  jou  can  ask  to  be  shown  to 
your  room." 

Gilbert  thanked  her  again. 

"  Now  I  must  leave  you.     Good-morning." 

Mrs.  Briggs  sailed  out  of  the  room,  and  Gilbert/ 
following  her,  let  himself  out  into  the  street. 

"So  that's  what  they  call  a  city  mansion,"  he 
said  to  himself.  "  Pd  ten  times  rather  be  in  my 
room  at  Dr.  Burton's.  I  felt  as  if  I  was  in  danger 
of  stifling  in  that  showy  parlor.  I  hope  I  am  not 
going  to  live  there." 

Gilbert  had  nowhere  to  go;  but  the  city  was  a 
novelty,  and  he  wandered  about  the  streets,  looking 
about  him  w^ith  the  keen  interest  of  a  country  visitor. 

A  short  walk  brought  him  to  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel.  He  had  heard  of  it  often,  but  never  seen 
the  interior.  Attracted  by  curiosity  he  w^ent  in. 
He  took  a  seat  near  the  door,  and  idly  watched  the 
people  who  were  continually  going  out  and  coming 


GILBERT   GHETSON'S   FORTUNES.  43 

in.     Among  the  latter  he  soon  saw  a  familiar  face. 
Randolph  Briggs  lounged  in,  swinging  a  light  cane, 

"  Hallo  !  "  he  said,  noticing  Gilbert,  "  jou  here !  " 

''So  it  seems,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  You  aint  going  to  stop  here,  are  you?  " 

"  For  the  present,  I  am  staying  at  your  house." 

''  Oh,  yes,  I  forgot.     Been  up  there?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Did  you  see  mother?  " 

"  For  a  few  minutes." 

''  Didn't  she  invite  you  to  lunch?  " 

"Yes;  but  I  thought  I  should  like  to  look  round 
the  city  a  little." 

"  What  do  you  expect  to  do?  " 

"I  suppose  I  must  get  a  place.     As  I  have  no 
property,  I  must  do  something  to  earn  my  living." 

"  You   don't  expect    to    stay  at    our    house,   do 
you?  " 

"I  don't  expect  anything.     I  feel   bound  to  be 
guided  by  your  father." 

"You  see  it  would  be  awkward  to  have  an  cffice- 
boy  at  our  table,  meeting  our  friends." 


44  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 

''I  suppose  so,"  said  Gilbert,  his  lip  curling. 

"  It  wouldn't  be  proper." 

''  I  suppose  you  know  best." 

''  Probably  father  will  find  you  some  cheap  board- 
ing-house.    That  will  be  better  for  you,  you  know." 

''It's  a  pity  you  were  not  my  guardian,"  said 
Gilbert. 

''Why?" 

"  Because  you  seem  to  understand  so  well  what  is 
best  for  me." 

Randolph  looked  puzzled.  Was  this  penniless  boy 
chaffing  him,  or  was  he  in  earnest?  Randolph's 
vanity  led  him  to  think  the  latter. 

"Yes,  of  course  I  do.  I've  lived  in  the  city  all 
my  life.  I  ought  to  know  what's  what.  Do  you 
play  billiards?  " 

"No;  I  never  learned." 

"There's  a  billiard-room  below.  I  thought  we 
might  have  a  game." 

''  I  never  played  a  game  in  my  life." 

"  Then  there  would  be  no  fun  for  me.  I  guess  I'll 
go  in  and  get  a  drmk.     Are  you  thirsty  ?  " 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S  FORTUNES.  45 

"  No,  thank  you." 

'Tm  going  to  the  theatre  afterwards  —  a  matinee. 
I've  only  got  one  ticket,  but  you  can  buy  one  at  the 
door." 

''  Thank  you ;  I  woukl  rather  walk  about  the 
streets  this  afternoon." 

Randolph  lounged  into  the  bar-room,  ordered  his 
drmk.then  louno;ed  out  aorain. 

He  nodded  carelessly  to  Gilbert  as  he  went  out. 

"  See  you  by  and  by,"  he  said. 

Gilbert  bowed. 

"  It  doesn't  strike  me  I  shall  like  that  bo  v."  he 
said  to  himself  ''  I  wonder  if  his  father  knows 
about  his  drinking." 

Gilbert  amused  himself  for  a  little  while  longer 
watching  those  who  entered  and  departed  from  the 
great  hotel.  Then  he  went  out  into  the  street,  and 
proceeded  down  Broadway.  He  made  slow  progress, 
for  there  was  much  to  interest  a  stranger  like  him- 
self in  the  busy  life  of  the  street.  At  length  it 
occurred  to  him  that  he  would  go  to  Central  Park, 
of  which  he  had  beard  a  great  deal.     By  this  time 


46  SHIFTING   FOn   IIIMSELF ;    OR^ 

he  had  strayed  to  Sixth  Avenue  and  Fourteenth 
Street. 

At  the  same  time  with  Gilbert  a  young  girl  of 
thirteen  entered  the  car,  and,  as  chance  would  have 
it,  she  and  our  hero  were  seated  side  by  side. 

Presently  the  conductor  made  his  rounds. 

Pirst  he  presented  his  hand  for  the  young  girl's 
fare.  She  felt  in  her  pocket,  but  apparently  in 
vain.  Her  face  flushed,  and  she  looked  very  much 
embarrassed.  * 

"  I  think  I  forgot  to  bring  my  money,"  she  mur- 
mured.    "I  will  get  out." 

"  By  no  means,"  said  Gilbert,  promptly.  ''Permit 
me  to  pay  your  fare.  For  two,"  he  said,  handing  a 
ten-cent  stamp  to  the  conductor. 

"  You  are  very  kind,"  said  the  young  girl,  looking 
relieved.  "  I  live  in  Forty-eighth  Street,  and  should 
not  have  liked  to  walk  so  far.  I  am  sure  I  can't  tell 
how  I  happened  to  forget  my  money ;  I  am  ever  so 
much  obliged  to  you." 

"Oh,  don't  mention   it,"   said   Gilbert,  privately 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  47 

thinking  his  new  acquaintance  one  of  the  prettiest 
girls  he  had  ever  met. 

"  Will  you  give  me  jour  name  and  residence,"  she 
asked,  "  that  I  may  send  you  the  money  ?  " 

"With  pleasure, on  condition  that  you  won't  think 
of  repaying  such  a  trifle,"  said  Gilbert. 

He  drew  out  a  card,  added  his  guardian's  residence, 
and  passed  it  to  his  companion. 

''  At  any  rate,"  said  the  young  girl,  ''  you  must 
call,  and  let  mamma  thank  you  for  your  politeness 
to  me.     This  is  mine." 

She  handed  Gilbert  a  petite  card,  with  the  name 

of 

"Laura  Vivian, 

'♦No.  —  West  48th  Street." 

"Thank  you,"  said  Gilbert.  "I  will  call  with 
pleasure,  but  not  to  receive  thanks." 

After  this  the  two  young  people  continued  to  con- 
verse with  a  freedom  upon  which  they  would  not  have 
ventured  if  older  and  more  conventional ;  and  Gilbert 
was  really  sorry  when  his  fair  companion  arrived  at 
her  street  and  got  out. 


48  SHIFTING  FOB  HIMSELF;   OH, 


CHAPTER    V. 

AT    THE    DINNEK-TABLE. 

At   five   o'clock   Gilbert    started  from   the  park, 
where  he  had  sauntered  about  for  several  hours,  and' 
reached  the  house  of  Mr.  Briggs  half  an   hour   or 
more  before  dinner. 

*'  Your  room  is  ready,"  said  the  servant,  who  had 
received  her  instructions.  "  Shall  I  show  you  the 
way  up?" 

"  If  you  please.     Has  my  trunk  come?  " 

''  Yes,  sir." 

"  The  dinner-hour  is  six,  I  believe." 

"  Yes,  sir.     The  bell  will  ring  at  that  time." 

Gilbert  understood  that  he  was  expected  to  remain 
in  his  room  till  dinner-time.  That,  however,  would 
have  been  his  choice. 

He  followed  the  servant  to  a  small  hall-bedroom  on 
the  third  floor,  where  he  found  his  trunk  awaiting 


GILBERT   GHEYSON's   FORTUNES.  49 

him.  He  opened  it,  and,  taking  out  his  comb  and 
brush,  and  a  clean  collar,  made  his  dinner  toilet.  A 
new  life  had  opened  before  him,  and  he  could  not 
help  wondering  what  it  would  be  like.  In  the  midst 
of  his  meditations  came  the  sound  of  the  bell,  and  he 
went  downstairs. 

Mr.  Briggs  was  already  present. 

^'W^l,"  said  he,  stifflj,  "  so  you  found  your  way 
here?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Did  you  see  Mrs.  Briggs? " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

''  And  how  have  you  spent  the  day  ?  " 

"  I  spent  the  afternoon  at  Central  Park." 

"  Was  Randolph  with  you  ?  " 

"No,  sir.     It  wasn't  necessary;  I  found  my  way 
without  any  trouble." 

Here  Mrs.  Brioro;s  entered. 

She  nodded  slightly  to  Gilbert,  and  said,  in  a  chilly 
way :  — 

"  Take  that  seat,  Mr.  Greyson." 
4 


60  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;   OR^ 

Gilbert  seated  himself,  and  Randolph,  who  entered 
direqtly  afterwards,  sat  down  opposite. 

''  You  were  not  with  Gilbert  to-day,  Randolph," 
said  his  father. 

"  No,  sir." 

*'  Where  were  you?  " 

"  At  the  theatre." 

"  Humph  !  you  go  to  the  theatre  too  much." 

"How  can  you  say  so,  Mr.  Briggs?"  said  the 
mother,  who,  though  her  heart  was  cold  to  all  beside, 
fairly  idolized  her  son,  and  as  a  consequence  foolishly 
indulged  him. 

*'  This  is  the  second  time  he  has  been  this  week." 

"  The  boy  is  young,  and  needs  recreation." 

"It  seems  to  me  it  is  all  recreation  with  him,  and 
no  work.  When  I  was  a  boy,  I  was  lucky  if  I  could 
go  to  a  place  of  amusement  once  in  three  months." 

"  You  hadn't  got  a  rich  father,"  said  Randolph. 

"  I  am  not  made  of  money,"  muttered  Mr.  Briggs, 
"  though  you  seem  to  think  I  am." 

"Really,  Mr.  Briggs,"  said  his  wife,  "it  is  ridic- 
ulous to  expect  Randolph  to  spend  as  little  as  you  did 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  51 

when  you  were  a  boj.     The  circumstances  are  quite 
different.'' 

Mr.  Briggs  frowned,  but  did  not  answer. 

''What  did  you  do  with  yourself?"  asked  Ran- 
dolph, turning  to  Gilbert. 

"I   wTnt   to    Central    Park.      It   is   a   beautiful 
place." 

*' I  never  go  there,"  said  Randolph.     "You  meet 
only  low  persons  there." 

"  I  saw  many  driving  about  in  handsome  carriages. 
Are  they  low  ?  " 

"Of  course  not.     I  meant  only  low  persons  walk 
there." 

"  Randolph  is  right,"  said  his  mother. 

"  Still  I  think  I  shall  go  again,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  Oh,  it's  different  with  you.     You  are  a  poor  boy, 
aintyou?"  said  Randolph,  bluntly. 

Gilbert  colored  a  little. 

"  I  only  know  what  your  father  has  told  me,"  said 
he. 

"Have  you  got  any  property  of  Gilbert's,  father?" 
asked  Randolph. 


52  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OE, 

*'Tliis  is  not  the  time  to  ask  such  questions,"  said 
his  father,  looking  annoyed. 

''Why  not?  There  is  no  company  —  no  one  but 
ourselves." 

"Ahem!"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  clearing  his  throat: 
"  there  was  a  very  small  property,  but  it  has  all  been 
spent  on  Gilbert's  education." 

"Who  left  him  the  property?"  asked  Randolph^ 
persistently. 

Gilbert  was  interested  in  the  Answer  to  this  ques- 
tion, and  he  looked  with  eager  inquiry  at  his  guar- 
dian, hoping  that  he  would  reveal  what  he  had  so  long 
desired  to  know. 

"  You  are  very  curious,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  displeased. 

"There's  no  reason  why  you  shouldn't  tell  me;  is 
there,  father?" 

"No,"  answered  his  father,  slowly.  "The  money 
was  left  him  by  his  father,  who  was  an  old  scliool- 
mate  of  mine.  He  died  in  the  West  Indies,  and  sent 
me  the  money  in  trust  for  his  son,  to  provide  for  him 
as  long  as  it  lasted.  It  was  exhausted  nearly  a  year 
since,  but  I  kept  Gilbert  at  school  till  now  at  my  own 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  53 

expense.  Now  the  time  has  come  when  he  must  shift 
for  himself." 

"  Rather  hard  on  you,  Gilbert,"  said  Randolph. 

''  I  am  willing  to  look  out  for  myself,"  said  Gil- 
bert, quietly.  '-'My  father  did  all  he  could  for  me. 
I  have  a  good  education,  thanks  partly  to  you,  Mr. 
Briggs,  and  I  ought  to  be  able  to  make  my  way." 

"  Oh,  you  are  welcome,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  rather 
uncomfortably. 

"You  have  done  more  than  could  have  been  ex- 
pected, Mr.  Briggs,"  said  his  wife.  "  Why  did  you 
not  take  the  boy  from  school  months  ago  ?  " 

"  I  wanted  him  to  have  a  fair  education." 

"  It  seems  to  me  he  was  already  sufficiently  edu- 
cated for  his  sphere  in  life,"  said  the  lady.  ''  I  don't 
believe  in  educating  persons  beyond  their  station." 

There  was  something  in  the  lady's  remarks  which 
grated  harshly  upon  the  ear  of  our  young  hero. 
What  right  had  Mrs.  Briggs  to  assume  that  his  sta- 
tion was  inferior  to  hers  ?  The  dislike  which  be  had 
already  begun  to  entertain  for  her  was  increased.  lie 
found  it  impossible  to  like  any  of  the  family,  but  he 


54  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OE, 

had  insight  enough  to  see  that  in  cold  selfishness 
Mrs.  Briggs  exceeded  her  husband  and  son. 

^'  It  seems  to  me,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  in  answer  to 
his  wife's  last  remark,  ^'  that  a  good  education  is  a 
good  thing  for  anj  one  to  possess,  be  he  rich  or  poor." 

''  You  wouldn't  advise  a  boj  that  was  going  to  be  a 
mechanic  to  study  Latin  or  Greek,  would  jou?  " 

"  If  he  liked  it." 

"  Then  I  can't  agree  with  you,"  retorted  the  lady, 
sharply;  "I  consider  it  simply  time  and  money 
thrown  away." 

''Have  you  studied  Latin  and  Greek,  Gilbert?" 
asked  Randolph. 

"Yes." 

"  Have  you  gone  far  in  them  ?  " 

"  In  a  year  I  should  have  been  ready  to  enter  Yale 
College." 

''And  after  all  I  suppose  you  will  be  a  mechanic." 

"  Why  should  I  be?  "  demanded  Gilbert. 

"  You  have  no  money." 

*'  I  suppose  there  are  other  kinds  of  business  I  can 
learn." 


GILBERT   GREY  son's   FORTUNES,  55 

^'  Perhaps  so." 

Apparently  tiring  of  the  subject,  Randolph  turned 
to  his  mother. 

'' Has  any  invitation  come  for  me?  "  he  asked. 

'•'  Invitation  —  to  what  ?  " 

"I  hear  that  Laura  Vivian  is  going  to  give  a 
party.     I  didn't  know  but  she  might  invite  me." 

''  The  Vivians  do  not  visit  us.  I  should  be  glad  to 
become  acquainted.  They  move  in  the  very  first  so- 
ciety.    Do  you  know  Laura  ?  " 

"I  knew  her  at  dancing-school.  I  used  to  dance 
with  her  sometimes.  She  was  a  great  favorite.  All 
the  boys  wanted  her  for  a  partner." 

''It  is  hardly  likely  she  will  invite  you.  I  wish 
she  would." 

''What  is  the  name  of  the  young  lady?"  asked 
Gilbert,  interested. 

"Laura  Vivian.  What  interest  can  you  feel  in 
her?" 

"  I  made  the  young  lady's  acquaintance  this  after- 
noon," said  Gilbeii,  quietly. 

"  Laura  Vivian  ?     ImDOssible." 


56  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  Doesn't  she  live  in  West  Forty-eighth  Street?  " 

''Yes." 

''  Then  it  is  the  same  one,  as  you  will  see  by  this 
card." 

Here  Gilbert  produced  the  card  referred  to  in  the 
last  chapter. 

•'  How  on  earth  did  you  get  acquainted  with  her  ?  " 
exclaimed  Mrs.  Briggs.     "  Who  introduced  you  ?  " 

"  I  believe  I  introduced  myself,"  said  Gilbert,  smil- 
ing. "I'll  tell  you  all  about  it,"  and  he  recounted 
the  circumstances  of  his  acquaintance. 

''She  invited  you  to  call?"  exclaimed  Randolph, 
enviously. 

"Yes." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  go  ?  " 

"I  shall  go  once,  out  of  politeness." 

"  She  will  think  you  want  to  be  repaid  your  five 
cents,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  disagreeably. 

"  I  don't  think  she  will,"  said  Gilbert.  "  At  any 
rate  I  will  take  the  risk." 

"  Will  you  take  me  with  you  ?"  asked  Randolph 

"I  hardly  think  it  would  be  proper,"  said  Gilbert; 


GILBERT   GREYSON*S   FORTUNES.  57 

"  but  if  I  have  a  second  invitation  I  may  take  the 
liberty  of  doing  so." 

''Gilbert  is  right,"  said  Mr.  Briggs. 

Randolph  was  disappointed,  and  indulged  in  a 
sneer  at  a  penniless  boy  like  Gilbert  calling  on  a 
young  lady  of  high  social  position.  But  Gilbert 
did  not  choose  to  notice  it. 


58  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OB, 


CHAPTER  VI. 


HOW   GILBERT    GOT   ON. 


When  dinner  was  over,  Gilbert  found  that  he  was 
not  going  to  have  the  pleasure  of  Randolph's  com- 
panionship. 

'^  Where  are  jou  going,  Rancjolph  ? "  asked  his 
father,  as  Randolph  was  leaving  the  room. 

''  I'm  going  out." 

*'  Perhaps  Gilbert  maj  like  to  go  with  you,"  sug- 
gested Mr.  Briggs. 

^'  I've  got  an  engagement,"  said  Randolph,  shortly. 

"  When  was  it  made?  " 

''  This  afternoon." 

''  Don't  let  me  interfere  with  Randolph's  engage- 
ments," said  Gilbert,  hastily. 

*'  Won't  you  feel  lonely?  "  asked  Mr.  Briggs. 

*'  Oh,  no,  sir.  I  shall  take  a  walk  down  Broad- 
way.    There  will  be  plenty  to  take  up  my  attention." 


GILBERT   GREYSOX^S  FORTUXES.  59 

^'  Randolph  can  hardly  be  expected  to  give  up  his 
engagement,"'  said  Mi's.  Briggs.  ''I  am  surprised, 
Mi\  Briggs.  that  you  should  expect  it." 

Mr.  Briggs  muttered  something  about  politeness. 

Gilbert  protested  again  that  he  could  get  along 
very  ^ell  by  himself,  and  the  matter  dropped. 

Presently  he  went  out.  and  Mi-s.  Bric^ors,  ^sho  had 

%/  CO    ' 

been  "waiting  her  oppoitunity,  commenced   an  attack 
upon  her  husband. 

'•"Wliat  are  your  plans  for  this  boy,  Mr.  Briggs?" 
she  asked.  *'•  Are  you  going  to  support  him  in  idle 
ness?" 

"  Certainly  not.  I  shall  find  him  a  place  as  soon 
as  I  can." 

''What  claim  has  he  upon  you,  I  should  like  to 
know  ?  " 

'•  lie  has  onlv  me  to  look  out  for  him." 

''What  of  that?" 

"  He  was  the  son  of  my  old  schoolmate." 

"  I  have  old  schoolmates,  too,  and  some,  I  suppose, 
are  in  want ;  but  I  am  not  going  to  adopt  their  chil- 
dren." 


60  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

^'  This  bo  J  was  especially  recommended  to  me,  and 
what  property  his  father  left  was  given  in  trust  to  me 
for  him." 

"  Well,  it's  all  used  up,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Then  your  trust  is  at  an  end." 

"  What  are  you  driving  at,  wife?  " 

''  I  want  to  know  whether  you  expect  this  boy  to 
remain  in  your  house." 

''  I  see  no  objection."  ^ 

''I  do.  You  will  be  pampering  him  at  the  ex- 
pense of  your  own  son." 

Mr.  Brisigs  shruo-o-ed  his  shoulders. 

"I  apprehend,"  he  said,  "that  our  household  ex- 
penses will  not  be  increased  materially  by  Gilbert's 
remaining  here." 

J'  Clothes  and  board  cost  something.  Besides,  -he 
is  not  a  fit  companion  for  Randolph." 

"Why  not?" 

"He  is  a  poor  boy.' 

"He  has  the  education  and  manners   of  a  young 


GILBERT   GRETSON^S  FORTUNES.  61 

gentleman.  It  strikes  me  that  he  is  quite  the  equal 
of  Randolph  in  those  respects." 

"You  are  always  ready  to  side  against  your  own 
boy." 

"  I  don't  want  to  spoil  him." 

"  You  seem  to  prefer  this  new  boy." 

''  Not  at  all.  Must  I  be  unjust  to  every  other 
boy,  because  I  have  a  son  of  my  own?" 

"  You  know  what  I  mean  well  enough." 

"The  point  seems  to  be,  that  you  don't  want  Gil- 
bert in  the  house." 

"No." 

"  What  shall  I  do  with  him  ?  " 

"  Let  him  shift  for  himself." 

Mr.  Brio-cps  shook  his  head. 

"  The  world  would  talk,"  said  Mr.  Briggs. 

"Let  them  talk  !  "  said  the  lady,  independently. 

"  It  isn't  best  to  incur  the  reproach  of  your  fellow- 


men." 


"Well,    get   him   a  cheap   boarding-house:    that's 
more  suited  to  his  station  in  life  than  a  home   like 


ours." 


62  SHIFTING   FOB   HIMSELF;    OE, 

"  Let  him  stay  here  a  few  days,  and  I  will  see 
what  I  can  do." 

Mrs.  Briggs  would  have  preferred  to  have  Gilbert 
leave  the  next  day,  but  decided  to  accept  the  conces- 
sion made  by  her  husband.  He  was  placed  in  a 
difficult  position,  but  did  not  venture  to  tell  his  wife 
all.  The  truth  was,  for  I  do  not  mean  to  make  a 
mystery  of  it,  he  had  wronged  Gilbert  most  griev- 
ously. The  sum  of  money  placed  in  his  hands  in 
trust  for  our  hero  had  been  not  a  small  sum,  but 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  Gilbert's  father,  trust- 
ing all  to  the  honor  of  his  friend,  had  exacted  no 
guaranties  of  good  faith.  So  far  as  Mr.  Briggs 
knew,  no  living  person  was  aware  of  the  amount  of 
Gilbert's  inheritance.  There  was  no  one,  so  fir  as  he 
knew,  to  contradict  his  assertion  that  it  had  all  been 
expended  in  the  education  of  our  hero.  Yet  it 
troubled  him.  He  had  made  up  his  mind  to  wrong 
the  boy,  but  he  was  not  so  hardened  as  to  do  it 
without  some  qualms  of  conscience.  He  meant  to  do 
something  for  him,  get  him  a  place,  and  give  him  a 
home  in  his  own  family;  but  here,  as  we  see,  Mrs. 


QILBEHT  GREYSON^S  FORTUNES,  63 

Briggs  had  interfered  with  his  plans.  He  could  not 
make  up  his  mind  to  throw  Gilbert  wholly  upon  his 
own  resources,  and  he  w^as  disappointed  at  his  wife's 
opposition.  He  was  not  wholly  a  had  man,  but  the 
temptation  of  appropriating  Gilbert's  money  had  been 
too  great,  and  he  had  yielded.  He  had  used  it  in  his 
business,  and  a  sudden  call  for  it  would  have  very 
much  embarrassed  him. 

Meanwhile  Gilbert  set  out  on  his  walk.  The 
crowded  city  streets,  which  had  interested  him  in  the 
daytime,  assumed  a  new  charm  in  the  evening. 
Walking  slowly  along,  looking  in  at  the  brilliantly 
lighted  windows,  he  did  not  feel  the  need  of  com- 
panionship. In  fact,  he  was  rather  glad  that  Ran- 
dolph was  not  with  him,  for  he  had  already  satisfied 
himself  that  they  had  very  little  in  common. 

Half  an  hour  had  passed,  when  all  at  once  he 
heard  his  name  called. 

"Good-evening,  Mr.  Greyson,"  said  a  sweet  voice. 

Turning  quickly,  he  recognized  Laura  Vivian. 

"  Good-evening,  Miss  Vivian,"  he  said,  pleased  at 
the  meeting. 


64  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    Oli, 

"Papa,"  said  Laura,  "this  iS  Mr.  Grejson,  who 
was  so  polite  to  me  in  the  cars." 

Then  for  the  first  time  Gilbert  noticed  that  Laura 
was  accompanied  bj  a  pleasant-looking  gentleman  of 

middle  age. 

''  I  am  glad  to  meet  jou,  Mr.  Grejson,"  said  Mr. 
Yivian,  cordially.  "Mj  daughter  has  told  me  that 
you  extricated  her  from  a  dilemma." 

"It  isn't  worth  mentioning,  sir,"  said  Gilbert.  "I 
am  ashamed  to  be  thanked  for  such  a  little  thino;." 

"  It  was  a  trifle,  no  doubt,  but  a  mark  of  kind 
attention  no  less.  My  daughter  and  I  are  out  for  a 
walk.  If  you  have  no  engagement,  will  you  join 
us?" 

"With  great  pleasure,  sir,"  said  Gilbert;  and  he 
spoke  sincerely. 

"  Do  you  live  in  the  city  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Vivian. 

"  I  have  been  at  a  boarding-school  hitherto,  but  I 
have  now  come  to  the  city  to  live." 

"  Do  your  parents  reside  here?  " 

Gilbert  looked  sober. 

"  I  have  no  parents,"  he  said. 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  65 

*'  Indeed ! "  said  Mr.  Vivian,  in  a  voice  of  sym- 
pathy. 

"Indeed  I  have  no  relatives  that  I  am  aware  of; 
Mr.  Richard  Briggs,  a  merchant  of  this  city,  is  my 
guardian." 

"  Kichard  Briggs?     I  know  of  him." 

"I  ought  to  say,  however,"  added  Gilbert,  who  did 
not  wish  to  sail  under  false  colors,  "  that  I  can  hardly 
continue  to  call  him  my  guardian,  as  he  informs  me 
that  my  little  property  has  been  all  expended  on  my 
education,  and  that  I  am  now  penniless,  and  must 
work  for  my  living." 

"I  don't  consider  that  a  misfortune,"  said  Mr. 
Vivian.  "  It  will  make  a  man  of  you  the  sooner. 
But  about  this  property,  do  you  know  how  much  it 
amounted  to  originally  ?  " 

"No,  sir." 

"Hasn't  Mr.  Brio;ojs  ever  rendered  an  account  to 
you  ?  " 

"  No,   sir.     I  have  always  supposed  that  I  should 

be  rich  until  within  a  week.     Then,  for  the  first  time, 
5 


66  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH,  * 

I  was  told  that  I  must  withdraw  from  school,  and  get 
a  place." 

''  Mr.  Briggs  has  not  treated  jou  fairly  in  leaving 
you  uninformed  as  to  your  real  position,"  said  Mr. 
Vivian,  gravely.  _^ 

"  I  won't  blame  him,  but  I  wish  he  had  told  me 
earlier." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  a  fashionable  con- 
fectioner's. 

"  Come  in  with  us,  and  have(  an  ice-cream,"  said 
Mr.  Vivian. 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Gilbert,  and  the  three  en- 
tered and  sat  down  at  one  of  the  small  tables. 

At  a  table  near  by  sat  Randolph  Briggs.  Looking 
up  by  chance,  he  was  astonished  to  see  his  father's 
penniless  ward  in  such  company. 

"By  Jove !"  he  muttered,  "that  young  beggar 
has  more  cheek  than  any  one  I  know  of." 

He  would  have  liked  to  have  joined  the  party,  but 
even  he  had  not  the  assurance  to  force  himself  upon 
them.     So  he  sat  watchful  and  envious,  his  jealousy 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES,  67 

excited  by  the  evident  favor  with  which  Gilbert  was 
regarded. 

"If  Mr.  Vivian  knew  he  hadn't  a  cent  in  the 
world,  he  wouldn't  be  quite  so  cordial,"  he  thought. 

But  ^Ir.  Vivian  did  know.  The  trouble  was  that 
Randolph  did  not  know  him,  or  he  would  not  have 
suspected  him  of  such  regard  for  wealth  and  its 
possession. 


68  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OH, 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

A  SPITEFUL  WOMAN. 

Randolph  lost  no  time  in  going  home  to  report 
what  he  had  seen.  Both  his  father  and  mother 
were  surprised  to  see  him  back  so  soon. 

''  I  am  glad  you  came  home  earlj,"  said  his  mother. 

"  Did  jou  see  anything  of  Gilbert  while  you  were 
out?"  asked  his  father. 

''  Do  you  suppose,  Mr.  Briggs,  that  Randolph  is 
going  to  follow  your  beggarly  ward?"  demanded 
Mrs.  Briggs,  sharply. 

"  He  might  have  met  him,"  said  her  husband,  in 
an  apologetic  tone. 

"  I  did  meet  him,"  said  Randolph,  in  so  significant 
a  tone  that  both  his  father  and  mother  looked  at  him 
for  an  explanation. 

^' Where  do  you  think  I  saw  him?  '  continued 
Randolph. 


GILBEliT  GRETSON^S  FORTUNES.  69 

"  In  some  low  place,"  suggested  his  mother. 

^'  Not  at  all.  He  was  eating  an  ice-cream  at 
Delmonico's." 

"  Pretty  well  for  a  penniless  boy  !  "  said  Mrs. 
Briggs.  "  I  suppose  he  expects  us  to  supply  him 
with  money  to  pay  for  his  extravagant  outlays." 

^'  Oh,  he  didn't  pay^  for  it  himself  He  got  Mr. 
Vivian  to  treat  him." 

"  Mr.  Vivian  !  " 

"  Yes :  he  had  picked  up  Mr.  Vivian  and  Laura 
somewhere,  and  probably  suggested  going  in  to  take 
an  ice-cream." 

"  No  doubt  Mr.  Vivian  invited  him,"  said  Mr. 
Briggs,  who  did  not  allow  dislike  to  run  away  with 
his  common- sense. 

•'He  is  certainly  the  most  forward  and  impudent 
boy  I  ever  met,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Briggs,  whose 
annoyance  arose  largely  from  Gilbert's  succeeding 
better  with  the  Vivians  than  her  own  son. 

"  Really,  my  dear,"  expostulated  her  husband,  "  I 
am  sure  you  do  the.  boy  injustice." 

"Don't  call  me  'my  dear,'"  said  Mrs.  Briggs, 


70  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OR, 

scornfully.  "  I  can't  see  what  has  got  into  you. 
You  certainly  must  be  wilfully  blind  if  you  don't 
see  through  the  artfulness  of  that  boy." 

''What  has  he  done?" 

"  He  has  wormed  himself  into  the  intimacy  of  Mr. 
Vivian  ;  that  is  what  he  has  done." 

"  Why  shouldn't  he  ?  If  Mr.  Vivian  is  inclined 
to  befriend  him,  it  will  be  a  saving  to  me  " 

"  It  won't  be  for  long.  Mr.  Vivian  will  find  him 
out,  and  cast  him  oiF."  < 

"  I  don't  know  that  there  is  anything  in  particular 
to  find  out.  He  seems  to  me  as  good  as  the  average 
of  boys." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Briggs,  I  can  only  say  that  you  seem 
infatuated  about  him.     I  beg  to  say  that  I  am  not." 

"  That  is  apparent,"  said  her  husband,  smiling. 

"  Moreover,"  added  his  wife,  provoked,  "  I  wish  to 
tell  you  that  it  is  disagreeable  to  me  to  have  him  in 
the  house.  So  the  sooner  you  can  find  a  boarding- 
house  for  him  the  better." 

"  Well,  I  will,  if  you  insist  upon  it." 

"  I  do  insist  upon  it." 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  71 

"  Then  I  will  trj  in  a  daj  or  two  to  find  him  a 
home." 

"  Mark  mj  words,  Mr.  Briggs :  yon  will  find, 
sooner  or  later,  that  my  prejudice  against  him  is 
not  so  foolish  as  you  imagine.  That  boy  will  turn 
out  badly." 

"  I  hope  not." 

"  It's  all  very  well  hoping;  but  you'll  see." 

Randolph  now  got  up  to  go. 

"  Where  are  you  going,  Randolph  ?  "  asked  his 
mother. 

*'  I  am  going  out  a  while ;  I  can't  say  where." 

*'  Why  can't  you  be  satisfied  to  stay  at  home  ?  " 

'^  Oh,  it's  so  stupid  staying  at  home,"  said  Ran- 
dolph. ''  I  want  to  go  where  there's  something 
going  on." 

^'  It  isn't  a  very  good  plan  fi^r  a  boy  of  your  age 
to  spend  his  evenings  about  the  street,"  said  Mr. 
Briggs. 

''  Why  shouldn't  he  go  out  ?  "  said  Mrs.  Briggs, 
in  the  spirit  of  opposition. .  "  You  haven't  anything 
to  say  about  your  favorite  being  out." 


72  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OR 

*'  The  city  is  new  to  him.  If  he  went  out  every 
evening  like  Kandolph,  I  should  think  it  a  bad 
plan." 

"  I  suppose  you  would  find  some  excuse  for  him." 

'' Really,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,"  ''I  shall  be  quite  as 
anxious  to  get  him  out  of  the  house  as  you,  if  you 
keep  up  such  an  incessant  attack." 

"  If  you  are  going  to  talk  to  me  in  this  style,  I 
will  retire,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  stiffly. 

Suiting  the  action  to  the  worcl,  she  rose  and  left 
the  room.  Her  husband  made  no  opposition.  In- 
deed, as  her  temper  was,  he  felt  her  withdrawal  a 
relief  He  settled  himself  down  to  the  comfortable 
reading  of  an  evening  paper,  and  had  about  completed 
its  perusal  when  the  bell  rang,  and  Gilbert  entered 
the  room. 

"Well,  Gilbert,  did  you  have  a  pleasant  time?' 
asked  his  guardian. 

"Yes,  sir;  unexpectedly  so.  I  met  Mr.  Yivian 
and  his  daughter,  and  went  to  Delmonico's  with 
them." 

"  You  found  him  an  agreeable  man,  no  doubt?  " 


GILBERT   GRETSON'S  FORTUNES.  73 

"  Yes,  sir;  he  treated  me  very  kindly  for  a  stran- 
ger." 

"  He  has  a  high  reputation,"  said  Mr.  Briggs. 

^'  Is  he  in  business  ?  " 

"Yes;  he  is  an  importer,  and  is  generally  con- 
sidered very  wealthy.  He  is  a  prudent,  conservative 
man,  who  avoids  dangerous  risks,  and  so  meets  with 
few  losses." 

''He  has  invited  me  to  call  next  Friday  evening 
at  his  house." 

"You  had  better  go,  by  all  means.  His  friendship 
may  be  valuable  to  you." 

"I  am  glad  you  approve  of  my  going,  for  I  am 
sure  I  shall  enjoy  it." 

*'Now,  Gilbert,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  clearing  his 
throat,  "  as  we  have  a  good  opportunity,  I  will  say  a 
few  words  about  my  plans  for  you." 

"  I  wish  you  would,  sir.  I  am  anxious  to  know 
what  is  to  be  my  path  in  life." 

"I  propose  to  get  you  into  some  store  or  counting- 
r(X)m  in  the  city." 

"Yes,  sir.     That  is  what  I  should  like." 


74  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  And,"  continued  Mr.  Briggs,  rather  embarrassed, 
*'it  will  probably  be  necessary  for  you  to  obtain  a 
boarding-place  nearer  the  business  part  of  the  city 
than  you  would  be  here." 

"I  should  think  it  would  be  better,"  said  Gilbert, 
who  decidedly  preferred  a  boarding-house  to  an 
establishment  presided  over  by  Mrs.  Briggs,  who,  he 
clearly  saw,  was  not  disposed  to  be  his  friend. 

''We  have  breakfast  too  late  to  admit  of  your 
getting  down-town  in  time,"  continued  Mr.  Briggs, 
who  seemed  to  want  to  justify  himself  in  the  eyes  of 
his  ward  for  the  inhospitable  proposal. 

''Yes,  sir,  I  think  it  will  be  every  way  better," 
said  Gilbert,  promptly.  "What  wages  do  you  think 
I  can  get,  sir  ?  " 

"Why,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  hesitating,  "beginners 
like  you  seldom  command  more  than  five  dollars  a 
week  at  first." 

Gilbert  looked  serious. 

"I  suppose,"  he  said,  "  this  will  not  be  enough  to 

pay  all  my  expenses." 

"Certainly  not,"   said  bis    guardian,    "but  you 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S  FORTUNES.  75 

need  not  feel  troubled  about  that.  I  will  make  up 
the  balance  necessary  till  you  are  far  enough  ad- 
vanced to  be  self-supporting." 

"  You  are  very  kind,  sir,"  said  Gilbert,  gratefully  ; 
"but  it-  appears  that  I  have  already  cost  you  con- 
derable." 

''  Ohj  that  is  of  no  consequence,"  said  Mr.  Briggs, 
hurriedly.  ''I  was  your  father's  friend,  and  nat- 
urally I  feel  an  interest  in  your  progress." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  but  I  don't  like  to  be  a  con- 
tinued burden  to  you.  Do  you  think  it  will  be  long 
before  I  can  support  myself?  " 

"  It  will  certainly  be  two  years  —  perhaps  three." 

"  Of  course  I  don't  know  anything  about  it,  but  I 
should  think  my  services  ought  to  be  worth  my  board 
and  clothes  before  that." 

"  We  must  take  things  as  we  find  them,"  said  his 
guardian.  "  There  are  a  dozen  applicants  for  every 
place  open  to  a  boy,  and  while  this  state  of  things 
continues  employers  will  pay  low  wages.  Besides, 
it  is  felt  that  a  boy  is  paid  partly  in  tlie  knowledge 
of  business  he  acquires." 


76  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;   OJR, 

'•  I  have  no  doubt  you  are  right,  sir ;  but  how  do 
poor  boys  manage  who  have  no  one  to  make  up  the 
deficiency?" 

''  Some  of  them  have  to  live  on  five  dollars  a 
week." 

^'Couldn't  I  do  it?" 

''  I  should  not  be  willing  to  have  you.  You  have 
been  brought  up  as  a  gentleman,  and  could  not  get 
along  as  well  as  if  you  had  always  been  poor." 

"I  will  trust  to  your  judgment,  sir;  but  I  shall 
want  you  to  keep  an  account  of  all  you  spend  for  me." 

^'Why?" 

"■  Because  some  day  I  mean  to  repay  it,"  said 
Gilbert,  proudly. 

''You  are  too  particular  about  this  matter,"  said 
Mr.  Briggs,  uncomfortably, 

''No,  sir,  I  don't  think  so.  I  think  I  am  old 
enough  now  to  undertake  my  entire  support." 

"  I  will  see  about  it,  then." 

This  closed  the  conversation  for  the  evening.  Gil- 
bert was  glad  to  have  spoken  to  his  guardian. 
Now  he  knew  better  what  to  look  forward  to. 


GILBERT  GHEYSON^S  FORTUNES,  77 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

GILBERT   GETS   A   PLACE. 

The  next  morningj  about  eight  o'clock,  the  family 
were  gathered  about  the  breakfast-table.  Randolph 
was  ten  minutes  late.  He  came  in  looking  sleepy 
and  cross. 

"Randolph,"  said  his  father,  "what  made  you  so 
late  last  evening?  " 

"I  wasn't  late." 

"  You  may  not  call  half-past  eleven  late ;  I  do.'^ 

"It  wasn't  more  than  half-past  ten  when  I  came 


in." 


"You  are  quite  mistaken.  I  looked  at  my  watch 
when  I  heard  you  coming  upstairs." 

"It  was  rather  late  ;  but  you  needn't  make  such  a 
fuss  about  it,  Mr.  Briggs,"  said  his  wife.  "  You  have 
been  out  later  than  that  yourself" 

"  Whenever  I  have  been  late,  I  had  a  good  reason 


78  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OE^ 

for  it.     Besides,  there  is  some  difference  in  age  between 
Randolph  and  myself." 

"  At  any  rate,  you  needn't  scold  him  before  a 
stranger." 

"I  do  not  consider  Gilbert  a  stranger.  Besides, 
what  I  say  is  partly  meant  for  him.  It  is  not  wise 
for  any  boy  of  his  or  Randolph's  age  to  remain  out 
till  nearly  twelve." 

''I  hope  you  are  almost  through;  I  am  getting 
tired  of  the  subject."-  * 

Thus  Mrs.  Briggs  gave  Randolph  indirect  encour- 
agement, by  taking  his  part  against  his  father. 

Mr.  Briggs  shrugged  his  shouldera  and  was  silent. 
Gilbert  felt  rather  uncomfortable. 

"Will  you  have  some  more  coffee?"  asked  Mrs 
Briggs.  in  an  icy  tone. 

"  No,  thailk  you,"  he  said. 

"You  may  go  down-town  with  me,  Gilbert,"  said 
Mr.  Briggs.  "I  will  introduce  you  to  a  gentleman 
who  will  possibly  give  you  a  place." 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 


GILBERT   GJiEYSON'S   FORTUNES.  79 

"  I  hope,  Mr.  Briggs,  you  will  bear  in  mind  what 
I  said  last  night,"  said  his  wife. 

She  referred  to  his  getting  a  boarding-place  for 
Gilbert. 

"  I  have  not  forgotten  it,"  he  answered. 

Gilbert  and  his  guardian  took  a  University  Place 
car,  and  they  rode  down- town  together. 

Mr.  Briggs  obtained  a  seat,  but  Gilbert  was  com- 
pelled to  stand,  on  account  of  the  crowded  state  of  the 
car. 

Seated  beside  Mr.  Briggs  was  a  business  man  of 
about  his  own  age. 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Sands,"  he  said,  for  it  was  an 
acquaintance. 

"  Good-mornmg,  Mr.  Briggs.  Is  this  young  man 
your  son?  " 

"  No,  he  is  under  my  charge,  however.  I  have  a 
son  of  about  his  age." 

''Is  he  at  school?  " 

"He  has  been  till  recently.  I  am  looking  for  a 
place  for  him  at  present.  It  is  time  he  commenced 
his  business  education." 


80  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OJl, 

"Indeed,"  said  the  gentleman,  thoughtfully. 
"Are  you  thinking  of  any  business  in  particular?" 

"  No.     I  shall  accept  any  good  opening  for  him." 

"  The  fact  is,"  said  Sands,  "  I  am  looking  for  a  boy 
to  enter  my  OAvn  office.  I  was  compelled  yesterday  to 
dismiss  one  who  had  been  with  me  for  six  months,  on 
account  of  dishonesty.  I  found  he  appropriated 
revenue-stamps,  and  sold  them.  I  don't  know  how 
long  this  has  been  going  on,  but  probably  I  have  been 
a  considerable  loser."  ^ 

"  I  don't  think  you  will  have  any  sucli  difficulty 
with  Gilbert,  if  you  are  inclined  to  take  him,"  said 
Mr.  Briggs. 

"I  like  his  appearance,  and  will  take  him  at  once, 
if  you  say  so.  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  paying  five 
dollars  a  week." 

"It  is  as  much  as  I  expected  him  to  earn  for  the 
present.  Gilbert,  this  gentleman  is  willing  to  give 
you  a  place  in  his  office." 

Gilbert  had  already  formed  a  favorable  opinion  of 
Mr.  Sands,  and  he  answered  promptly,  "  I  am  very 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  81 

much  obliged  to  him,  and  shall  be  glad  to  be  in  his 
employ." 

Mr.  Sands  looked  pleased. 

"May  I  ask  what  is  jour  business,  sir?"  continued 
Gilbert. 

''I  am  a  broker;  mj  office  is  at  No  — Wall 
Street." 

"I  am  afraid  you  will  find  me  very  ignorant  of 
business,"  said  Gilbert;  "  but  I  hope  to  learn  rapidly." 

''  There  is  nothing  that  will  puzzle  you  at  first.  If 
you  remain  any  length  of  time,  there  will  be  some- 
thing to  learn." 

''  I  have  assured  Mr.  Sands,"  said  Mr.  Briggs, 
''  that  he  can  rely  upon  your  honesty.  His  last  boy 
was  discharged  for  lack  of  that  very  necessary 
quality." 

''  I  don't  think  he  will  be  disappointed  in  me,  so 
far  as  that  goes,"  said  Gilbert,  proudly. 

"I  don't  think  I  shall,"  said  the  broker,  upon 
whom  Gilbert's  modest  but  manly  bearing  had  pro- 
duced  a  very  favorable    impression.      ''  When   shall 

you  be  ready  to  go  to  work?  " 
6 


82  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OR^ 

"  At  any  time,  sir." 

"  Does  that  mean  to-daj  ?  " 

'•'■  Yes,  sir." 

"I  will  stipulate,  however,"  said  Mr.  Briggs, 
''that  Gilbert  may  be  released  at  four  o'clock.  I 
want  to  select  a  boarding-place  for  him,  and  that  will 
give  me  time." 

"  Oh,  certainly,"  said  the  broker.  "I  can  let  him 
go  earlier  if  you  desire  it." 

"  No,  it  will  not  be  necessary;  I  shall  not  myself 
be  at  leisure  till  that  hour.  You  know  my  place  of 
business,  Gilbert,  do  you  not?  " 

"Yes,  sir;  I  have  been  there  already,  you  know." 

"  I  remember.  Very  well,  go  with  Mr.  Sands  to 
his  office,  and  come  to  me  at  four  this  afternoon." 

<■<■  Very  well,  sir." 

It  seemed  rather  strange  to  Gilbert  to  find  himself 
already  in  a  situation.  The  transition  from  life  at 
school  had  been  very  sudden.  On  the  whole  he  was 
not  sorry  for  it.  It  kindled  his  ambition  to  think 
that  he  was  going  to  make  himself  useful;  that  he 
was  to  have  a  part  in  the  busy  scene   around  him. 


GILBERT   GEEYSON's   FORTUNES.  83 

He  only  regretted  that  for  some  time  to  come  he 
could  not  hope  to  earn  his  living  entirely;  that  for 
two  or  three  years,  perhaps,  he  was  to  be  a  source  of 
expense  to  his  guardian. 

"I  will  be  as  economical  as  I  can,"  he  thought. 
"  I  will  cost  him  as  little  as  possible,  and  when  I  am 
older  I  will  pay  back  every  cent  I  owe  him,  if  I  am 
lucky  enough  to  have  the  means." 

Had  Gilbert  only  known  it,  it  was  Mr.  Briggs  who 
was  heavily  in  his  debt,  and  the  small  sum  which 
would  be  allowed  him  to  help  defray  his  expenses  was 
already  his  own.  It  was  just  as  well  that  he  did  not 
know  it.  It  was  better  that  he  should  feel  entirely 
dependent  upon  his  own  exertions  for  support.  To  an 
active  and  ambitious  boy  it  is  a  stimulus  and  an  incen- 
tive to  effort. 

"  What  is  your  whole  name,  Gilbert?"  asked  Mr. 
Sands,  pleasantly. 

"  Gilbert  Grey  son,  sir."    * 

"You  have  been  at  school  until  recently,  Mr, 
Briggs  tells  me.'^ 

"  Yes,  sir." 


84  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OB, 

"In  the  city?" 

"  Noj  sir;  I  was  at  Dr.  Burton's  classical  school, 
in  the  town  of  Westville." 

"I  have  heard  of  it.  Did  you  pursue  a  classical 
course?  " 

''  Yes,  sir." 

''  Then  you  know  something  of  Latin  and  Greek?" 

^'  Yes,  sir.  In  a  year  I  should  have  been  ready  for 
iTale  College." 

''  Then  you  already  have  more  than  an  average 
education." 

"  I  hoped  to  have  a  better,  sir." 

"You  need  not  stop  learning  because  you  left 
school.  It  happens  that  I,  myself,  pursued  a  course 
similar  to  yours,  and  left  my  studies  for  business  when 
nearly  ready  for  college." 

"Indeed,  sir?"  said  Gilbert,  interested. 

"  But  I  still  keep  up  my  Latin  a  little.  Greek  I 
have  pretty  much  forgotten." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  the  office  of  Mr. 
Sands.  It  was  not  large,  but  was  neat  and  well 
furnished.     A  clerk  was  at  a  desk,  engaged  in  writ- 


GILBERT   GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  85 

ing  There  was,  besides,  in  waiting  a  boy  of  about 
Gilbert's  age,  who  apparently  wished  to  speak  to  Mr. 
Sands. 

*' You  here,  John?"  demanded  Mr.  Sands. 

*'Yes,  sir,"  whined  the  boy.  "Won't  you  take 
me  back,  sir?" 

The  broker  shook  his  head. 

"No,  I  cannot,"  he  said.  "You  have  deceived 
me,  and  I  cannot  trust  you." 

"  I  won't  do  it  again,  sir." 

"  I  could  not  take  you  back  now  if  I  would,"  said 
the  broker.  "  I  have  engaged  this  boy  in  your 
place." 

John  scowled  at  Gilbert  with  a  sense  of  personal 
injury,  and  left  the  office. 


86  SHIFTING  FOB  HIMSELF;   Oli, 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  FIRST  DAT  IN   BUSINESS. 

DuRiNa  the  day  Gilbert  learned  the  way  to  the 
Stock  Exchange,  to  the  bank  where  his  employer 
kept  an  account,  and  to  the  Post  OflSce.  He  was  also 
sent  on  various  errands  to  offices  of  other  brokers  and 
business  men.  Indeed,  he  was  kept  so  busy  that  he 
found  the  day  pass  very  rapidly.  He  made  up  his 
mind  that  he  should  like  Mr.  Sands,  whose  manner 
towards  him  was  marked  with  kindness  and  considera- 
tion. 

It  was  not  so,  however,  with  the  clerk  who  has 
already  been  mentioned.  He  was  disposed  to  regard 
Gilbert  as  an  unwelcome  intruder  into  the  office. 
His  prejudice  will  be  understood  when  the  reader 
learns  that  he  was  a  cousin  of  the  boy  who  had  been 
discharged.     He  had  interceded   to  have  John  rein- 


GILBERT   GBETSON'S  FORTUNES.  87 

stated  in  his  place ;  but  Mr.  Sands  had  been  inexor- 
able. 

*'I  should  like  to  oblige  you,  Mr.  Moore,"  said  he, 
''  but  I  cannot  take  back  your  cousin.  I  must  have  a 
boy  in  whom  I  can  feel  a  reasonable  degree  of  confi- 
dence." 

''John  has  reformed,  sir.  He  will  be  strictly 
honest  hereafter." 

"  I  hope  he  will,  for  his  own  sake ;  but  it  is  best  for 
him  to  find  some  place  where  there  will  be  fewer 
opportunities  to  steal." 

The  clerk  saw  that  it  would  be  of  no  use  to  pursue 
the  subject  further,  and  was  silent.  But  he  made  up 
his  mind  to  dislike  any  boy  that  might  come  in  his 
cousin's  place. 

In  his  employer's  presence  he  did  not  venture  to 
manifest  his  feelings,  but  when  Gilbert  came  back 
from  an  errand  later  in  the  day,  ]\Ir.  Sands  being 
absent  at  the  Board,  he  said  irritably,  "  What  made 
you  so  long?  " 

"So  long?"  repeated  Gilbert,  in  surprise.  "I 
lost  no  time,  Mr.    Moore.     I  went  directly  to   the 


88  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OB, 

office  where  I  was  sent,  and  as  soon  as  my  business 
was  attended  to  I  came  directly  back." 

"  Oh,  no  doubt !  "  sneered  Moore.  '•  You  didn't 
stop  to  play  on  the  way,  of  course.''^ 

"  No,  I  didn't,"  said  Gilbert,  indignantly. 

''  Then  you  stopped  to  hear  a  hand-organ,  or  some- 
thing of  the  kind,"  persisted  Moore,  in  a  disagreeable 
manner. 

"  You  are  quite  mistaken,  Mr.  Moore.  You  prob- 
ably know  where  the  office  is,  and  must  be  aware  that 
I  had  no  time  for  any  such  delay." 

"Oh,  you  are  a  model  boy,  I  have  no  doubt!" 
sneered  the  clerk. 

'•I  have  great  doubts  on  the  subject  myself,"  said 
Gilbert,  good-naturedly.  "I  never  had  that  reputa- 
tion." 

'^  Did  you  ever  do  anything  wrong?  " 

"  No  doubt  I  have." 

"  I  thought  perhaps  you  were  intending  to  pass 
yourself  off  as  an  angel." 

"I  don't  believe  there  are  many  angels  in  Wall 
Sfcreet,''  said  Gilbert,  in  the  same  tone  of  good-humor. 


GILBERT   GREY  son's  FORTUNES.  89 

"  No  more  of  jour  impudence  !  "  said  Moore,  snap- 
pishly, feeling  that  Gilbert  had  the  better  of  him  in 
this  little  passage  of  words. 

''What  have  I  said  that  is  impudent?"  asked 
Gilbert,  in  astonishment. 

"  No  matter.     Go  to  your  work." 

"  What  a  disagreeable  fellow  !  "  thought  our  hero. 
*'  I  don't  think  I  shall  enjoy  having  him  over  me. 
He  seems  determined  to  find  fault." 

"  Go  over  to  Smith  &  Dixon's,  and  ask  them  for  a 
Union  Pacific  First,  on  our  account  —  stay  ;  here's  an 
order." 

''  All  right,  sir." 

"  And  don't  be  gone  all  day." 

"  I  shall  be  back  as  soon  as  I  can,  said  Gilbert, 
coldly. 

"Mind  you  do!"  said  Moore,  in  an  aggravating 
manner. 

It  was  a  comfort  to  Gilbert  that  Mr.  Moore  did  not 
venture  to  treat  him  in  this  way  while  Mr.  Sands  was 
in  the  office.  Then,  if  he  had  occasion  to  speak,  it 
was  in  a  proper  tone.     But  for  two  or  three  hours 


€0  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OBy 

during  the  day  the  broker  was  absent  at  the  Stock 
Exchange,  and  during  this  period  the  clerk  saw  fit 
to  treat  him  with  rudeness.  This  treatment,  which 
commenced  on  the  first  day,  was  continued.  Gilbert 
made  little  efibrt  to  conciliate  Simon  Moore  (this 
was  the  clerk's  full  name),  for  he  saw  in  advance  that 
he  would  have  small  chance  of  succeeding.  He  was 
convinced  of  it  when  he  discovered  the  relationship 
between  Moore  and  his  predecessor,  and  learned, 
moreover,  that  the  clerk  was  a  boarder  in  his  cousin's 
family. 

"  I  shall  have  to  be  very  careful,"  thought  Gilbert, 
*'or  Mr.  Moore  will  get  me  into  trouble  of  some  kind. 
He  wants  to  get  rid  of  me,  for  some  reason  or  other." 

Gilbert  came  to  the  only  sensible  determination : 
to  do  his  duty  as  well  and  faithfully  as  he  knew^  how, 
and  trust  to  Providence  for  the  issue.  He  decided 
not  to  trouble  himself  too  much  about  the  clerk's 
enmity,  since  he  knew  that  he  had  done  nothing  to 
deserve  it. 

At  a  little  before  four  Gilbert  left  the  office,  and 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S   FORTUNES.  91 

sought  the  counting-room  of  Mr.  Briggs.     He  found 
that  gentleman  ready  to  go  up-town. 

"Well,  Gilbert,"  he  said,  "  how  do  you  like  your 
first  day  in  business? " 

''  Very  well,  sir.     I  think  I  shall  get  on." 
"Then  you  don't  find  your  duties  hard  ?  " 
"No,  sir  ;  they  are  pleasant  and  easy." 
"You  will   find   Mr.   Sands  very  considerate  and 
kind,  I  am  sure." 

"  I  like  him  alreadv,  sir." 

"  That  is  well,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  in  a  tone  of 
satisfaction.  "  The  next  thing  is  to  find  you  a  board- 
ing-place." 

"  Yes,  sir.     I  shall  be  very  glad  to  get  settled." 
"  There  will  be  little  difficulty  about  that.     If  we 
start  immediately,  I  can  select  a  place   for  you  this 
afternoon." 

They  took  the  street-cars  at  the  Astor  House. 

"I  have  been  thinking,  Gilbert,"  said  his  guardian, 

"  that  Waverly  Place  or  Clinton  Place  will  be  a  good 

location  for  you.     It  is  not  so  far  but  that  on  pleasant 

days  you  can  walk  to  your  place  of  business.     This 


92  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

will  save  car-fare,  which,  though  a  small  niatter,  is 
yet  to  be  considered  where  your  income  is  so  small." 

"  How  far  is  it,  sir  ?  " 

"  About  two  miles  from  Wall  Street." 

"I  shan't  mind  that.  When  at  school  I  used  to 
walk  ten  miles  sometimes,  on  holidays." 

''  Mind,  Gilbert,  I  only  recommend  it.  I  will  see 
that  you  have  money  enough  to  get  along  comfort- 
ably, even  if  you  choose  to  ride  constantly." 

''  I  shall  enjoy  the  walk  when  it  is  pleasant." 

"  Clinton  Place  is  the  western  portion  of  Eighth 
Street,"  said  Mr.  Briggs.  ''  East  Eighth  Street  is 
known  as  St.  Mark's  Place.  There  are  numerous 
boarding-houses  there  also,  but  I  think  you  will  like 
Clinton  Place  better.  I  suppose  you  are  not  very 
familiar  with  the  streets  yet?  " 

''No,  sir;  but  I  shall  get  accustomed  to  them  as 
soon  as  possible.  I  found,  this  morning,  that  it  is 
a  useful  thinsj  to  know." 

About  twenty  minutes'  ride  brought  the  car  to 
Clinton  Place. 

*' We  will  get  out  here,"  said  Mr.  Briggs.     "As 


GILBERT  GEETSON'S  FORTUNES.  93 

we  pass  through  the  street,"  he  said,  "  we  shall  prob- 
ahly  notice  papers  pasted  on  some  of  the  houses, 
indicating  that  boarders  or  lodgers  will  be  received. 
At  some  of  these  houses  we  will  inquire." 

It  was  as  Mr.  Briggs  had  said.  They  had  scarcely 
began  their  walk  towards  Broadway,  when  they  saw 
such  a  paper  on  a  neat-looking  brick  house. 

"  Let  us  inquire  here,  Gilbert,"  he  said. 

He  went  up  the  steps,  and  rang  the  bell.  On  a 
servant  appearing,  he  announced  his  business.  This 
brought  about  an  interview  with  the  landlady. 

"  Do  you  wish  a  room  for  two?  "  she  asked. 

"  No ;  only  for  this  boy." 

"  We  have  a  hall  bedroom  on  the  third  floor,  and 
an  attic  room,"  said  the  landlady. 

"We  will  look  at  the  hall  bedroom." 

It  was  a  small  room,  about  seven  feet  by  nine,  and 
the  furniture  was  very  common. 

'•You  can't  expect  anything  very  luxurious, 
Gilbert,"  said  Mr.  Briggs.  "  Shall  you  be  contented 
with  this  room?  " 

*'  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Gilbert,  promptly. 


94  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OE, 

''What  is  your  price,  madam?"  asked  Mr.  Briggs. 

"With  board,  six  dollars  a  week." 

"  I  think  we  will  try  it,"  he  said.  "  Will  you  stay 
here  to-night,  or  come  to-morrow,  Gilbert?" 

Gilbert  thought  of  Mrs.  Briggs,  and  answered,  "I 
will  begin  now.  I  suppose  I  shall  need  to  send  for 
my  trunk." 

"I  will  send  it  by  an  expressman  —  to-night,  if 
possible." 

"In the  case  of  strangers,"  said  the  landlady,  hes- 
itating, "  we  expect  something  in  advance." 

"I  will  pay  you  a  week  in  advance,"  said  Mr. 
Briggs. 

He  drew  six  dollars  from  his  pocket-book,  and 
handed  it  to  the  smiling  landlady. 

"  Of  course,  sir,"  she  said  apologetically,  "it 
isn't  necessary  with  a  gentleman  like  you,  but  it  is 
our  custom." 

"  Quite  right,  madam.  I  may  as  well  tell  you  that 
I  will  be  responsible  for  this  boy's  board.  Here  is 
my  card.'^ 


GILBERT  GEEYSON^S   FORTUNES.  95 

Mr.  Briggs  was  a  well-known  business  man,  and 
his  name  was  familiar  to  the  landlady. 

'•  I  am  glad  to  have  a  friend  of  yours  in  my  house," 
she  said.  ''  I  hope  the  young  gentleman  will  find 
everything  satisfactory." 

"Idon'tthmk  he  will  be  hard  to  please.  Good- 
evening,  madam.  Good-night,  Gilbert.  You  must 
call  and  see  us  often." 

Mr.  Briggs  withdrew,  and  Gilbert  sat  down  on  the 
bed  and  tried  to  realize  his  new  position.  Less  than 
a  week  had  elasped  since  he  left  school.  Now  he  had 
entered  on  a  business  career  in  New  York.  It  made 
him  feel  years  older,  but  he  did  not  shrink  from  hia 
new  responsibilities.     He  rather  liked  them. 


96  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    07?, 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE    NEW   BOARDING-HOUSE. 

Not  long  after  Gilbert  took  possession  of  his  room, 
the  bell  rang  for  dinner.  As  at  most  New  York 
boarding-houses,  the  last  meal  of  the  day  was  dinner, 
not  supper.  Gilbert  heard  an  adjoining  door  open, 
and,  leaving  his  own  room,  followed  the  occupants 
down  to  the  dining-room,  which  proved  to  be  in  the 
front  basement. 

The  room  was  deep,  and  allowed  of  a  long  table, 
large  enouo-h  for  the  accommodation  of  sixteen 
boarders.  Mrs.  White,  the  landlady,  did  not  her- 
self sit  down  to  the  table,  but  superintended  the 
servants,  w^ho  acted  as  waiters. 

''  Where  shall  I  sit,  Mrs.  White?  "  asked  Gilbert. 

"You  may  sit  here,  between  Mr.  Ingalls  and  Miss 
Brintnall  '^ 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  97 

Neither  of  these  persons  had  appeared,  but  Gilbert 
took  the  seat  pointed  out. 

One  hj  one  the  boarders  entered,  until  the  table 
was  full.  Gilbert  looked  about  him  with  considerable 
curiosity.  Mr.  Ingalls  proved  to  be  a  young  man 
of  twenty-five,  who  was  employed  in  a  wholesale 
stationery  store  in  AVilliam  Street.  Miss  Brintnall 
was  an  elderly-looking  young  lady,  Avho  was  engaged 
as  teacher  in  one  of  the  public  schools  of  the  city. 
Her  face  was  of  a  masculine  type,  and  Gilbert  was 
not  surprised  to  hear  that  she  was  a  strong  advocate 
of  woman's  rights. 

Just  opposite  were  seated  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Theophilus 
Bower.  He  was  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  house,  and  had 
been  but  three  months  married.  He  was  an  inoffen- 
sive young  man,  with  hair  parted  in  the  middle,  Avho 
appeared  to  be  very  fond  of  his  young  wife,  who  wore 
long  ringlets,  and  seemed  quite  a  fitting  match  for 
her  husband.  Gilbert  was  rather  amused  by  the 
manner  in  which  they  addressed  each  other. 

"Theophilus,  my  love,  may  I  pass  you  the  salt?  " 

"  Yes,  my  dear." 


98  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 

Occasionally,  that  is,  as  often  as  opportunity 
ojQfered,  tlicy  would  press  each  other's  hands  under  the 
table,  the  pressure  being  accompanied  by  a  languishing 
look,  which  nearly  upset  the  gravity  of  Mr.  Ingalls, 
who,  in  his  endeavors  to  suppress  his  merriment, 
once  came  so  near  choking  that  he  had  to  leave  the 
table. 

On  the  other  side  of  Mr.  Ingalls  sat  an  actor  at 
one  of  the  city  theatres,  with  his  wife.  lie  seldom 
engaged  in  general  conversation,  but  spoke  in  low 
tones  to  his  wife.  Whether  this  sprang  from  natural 
reserve,  or  from  his  mind  being  preoccupied  with  his 
business,  opinion  was  divided ;  but  the  natural  conse- 
quence was  that  he  was  unpopular. 

There  were  several  other  boarders,  ay  ho  will  be 
referred  to  in  due  time.  Among  them  may  be  men- 
tioned Alphonso  Jones,  a  man  of  thirty,  whose  seedy 
attire  would  seem  to  indicate  limited  means,  but  who 
lost  no  opportunity  of  boasting  of  his  aristocratic 
connections,  and  his  intimacy  with  the  best  society. 

Mr.  Ingalls  was  the  fii'st  to  notice  his  young  neigh- 
bor.    Mrs.  White  had  introduced  Gilbert  to  his  right 


GILBERT   GRhY son's   FORTUNES.  99 

and  left  hand  neighbor,  but  left  him  to  make  acquaint- 
ance with  the  rest  as  he  could. 

"  Have  you  been  long  in  the  city,  Mr.  Greyson  ?  " 
he  asked. 

''  No,"  said  Gilbert,  "  but  a  few  days." 
"  I  suppose  you  are  on  business  ?  " 
"  I  am  in  a  broker's  office  on  Wall  Street.'' 
"  And  I  am  in  a  wholesale  stationery  store  not  far 
from  Wall  Street.     If  you  have  no  better  company, 
we  might  go  down-town  together  in  the  morning." 
"  Thank  you,  I  should  like  company." 
"  That  is,   if  you  walk ;    I  never  ride  except  on 
stormy  days.'' 

''  Nor  shall  I.  It's  only  two  miles,  I  believe." 
"  Scarcely  that ;  some  think  two  miles  a  long  walk. 
My  brother  from  Boston,  who  was  here  for  a  while, 
complained  a  good  deal  of  the  long  distances  in  New 
York.  In  Boston  business  men  have  much  less 
distance  to  travel." 

"  I  never  was  in  Boston,"  said  Gilbert.     "Is  it  a 
pleasant  city  ?  " 

"It  is  the  '  Hub  of  the  Universe/  you  know ;  so 


100  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

Dr.  Holmes  calls  it,  at  any  rate.  Yes,  it  is  a  pleasant 
city,  but  small,  of  course,  compared  with  New  York. 
How  did  jou  happen  to  come  to  this  boarding-house?  " 

"I  saw  a  notice  outside  that  boarders  would  be 
taken." 

'^  I  hope  you  will  like  it." 

"  I  hope  so.     I  am  not  very  difficult  to  suit." 

^'  You  have  not  been  long  in  your  place  of  business, 
I  suppose." 

"No;  I  went  there  only  to-day.     I  have  always^ 
been  at  school  till  now." 

"Out  of  the  city?" 

"  Yes,  at  Dr.  Burton's  Boarding  School,  at  West- 
ville." 

"  I  have  heard  of  it." 

Then,  lowering  his  voice,  he  said,  "  I  see,  Mr. 
Greyson,  you  are  looking  at  the  happy  couple  oppo- 
site." 

"  They  seem  very  happy,"  said  Gilbert,  smiling. 

"  Oh,  yes,  they  are  wrapt  up  in  each  other.  How- 
ever, that  is  better  than  to  quarrel  all  the  time.     Do 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  101 

you  see  that  tall,  thin  man  at  the  end  of  the  table, 
and  the  lady  at  his  side?  " 

''Yes." 

"There  isn't  much  love-making  between  them. 
They  have  a  room  adjoining  mine,  and  I  have  the 
privilege  of  listening  to  some  of  their  disputes." 

"Who  are  they?" 

"  Major  McDonald  and  his  wife.  He  is  Scotch,  I 
believe.  They  married  each  other  for  their  money, 
I  hear,  and  then  discovered  that  neither  had  any  to 
speak  of" 

The  conversation  was  interrupted  by  Miss  Brint- 
nall,  who  was  expressing  her  views  on  woman's 
rights. 

"In  my  opinion,"  she  said,  "man  is  a  cruel  and 
despotic  tyrant.  He  monopolizes  the  good  things  of 
this  life,  and  only  throws  an  occasional  crumb  to  poor, 
ill-used  women.  Women,  for  the  same  work,  are  paid 
less  than  half  as  much  as  men.  Take  myself,  for 
example.  I  work  just  as  hard  as  the  principal  of  my 
school,  yet  he  gets  three  dollars  to  my  one.  Now,  I 
want  to  know  where  is  the  justice  of  that?  " 


102         SniFTING   FOR    HIMSELF;    OH, 

''Perhaps."  suggested  Mr.  Bower,  "he  has  a  wife 
and  children  to  support.  You  haven't,  jou  know, 
Miss  Brintnall.  Of  course,  you  couldn't,  you  know/' 
he  added,  with  a  simper. 

''I  might  have  a  husband  and  children  to  support, 
I  suppose,"  said  Miss  Brintnall,  severely. 

"If  that  is  the  case.  Miss  Brintnall,"  said  Mr. 
Ingalls,  humorously,  "  you  ought  to  let  us  know,  that 
we  may  not  cherish  vain  hopes." 

Miss  Brintnall  smiled ;  she  generally  did  smile  on 
Mr.  Ingalls,  who  was  a  favorite  of  hers.  Indeed,  it 
was  generally  thought  at  the  table  that  she  would 
have  had  no  objection  to  becoming  Mrs.  Ingalls, 
though  the  young  man  certainly  had  never  given  her 
any  encouragement,  save  by  such  jocular  remarks  as 
the  foreojoino;. 

"You  will  have  your  joke,  Mr.  Ingalls,"  she  said 
good-humoredly ;  "but  to  return  to  my  argument.  Is 
there  any  one  present  that  can  deny  the  correctness  of 
my  statement,  that  man  is  a  tyrant?  " 

"  I  can,"  said  little  Mrs.  Bower,  indignantly. 
"  My  Theophilus  isn't  a  tyrant,  are  you,  dear?  " 


GILBERT   GRETSOK's   FORTUNES.  103 

"I  hope  not,  my  love,"  he  answered,  pressing  her 
hand  under  the  table. 

Mr.  Ingalls  came  near  swallowing  a  piece  of  meat 
the  wrong  waj,  and  Miss  Brintnall  sniffed  contemptu- 
ously. 

"  Jhere  may  be  exceptions,"  she  said,  "  but  they 
only  prove  the  rule;  even  in  your  own  case,  Mrs. 
Bower,  you  may  change  your  mind  some  years 
hence." 

"  I  never  shall,  I  am  sure.  Shall  I,  Theophilus, 
dear?" 

''No,  my  love." 

Here  Mr.  Ingalls  squeezed  Gilbert's  hand  under 
the  table,  with  a  comic  look,  which  proved  very  trying 
to  our  hero's  gravity. 

Miss  Brintnall  received  unexpected  help  from  Mrs. 
McDonald. 

''  I  agree  with  you  entirely,  Miss  Brintnall,"  said 
that  lady,  "  and  I  don't  believe  there  are  any  excep- 
tions.    Men  always  try  to  domineer  over  women." 

"  My  experience  is  the  other  way,"  said  the  major. 


104  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

^'  Of  course,  I  expected  to  hear  you  say  so,"  said 
the  lady,  tossing  her  head. 

''  Men  are  very  forbearing,  in  my  opinion,"  pro- 
ceeded the  major. 

"  And  very  unselfish,  I  suppose,"  sneered  his  wife. 

^'That's   where   you   hit   the    nail    on    the  ^head, 


ma'am." 


"  I  think,"  said  Alphonso  Jones,  "  it  depends  very 
much  on  social  rank.  I  have,  the  privilege  of  being 
intimately  acquainted  with  some  of  our  very  highest 
families,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  they  are  very 
harmonious.  Among  the  lower  orcters,  no  doubt, 
men  often  act  like  brutes;  but  it  is  from  lack  of 
refinement.  My  friends,  the  Tiptops,  who  have  their 
villa  at  Newport,  never  exchange  a  rude  word.  I 
think  you  are  too  sweeping  in  your  remarks.  Miss 
Brintnall." 

"  I  have  not  the  honor  of  knowing  your  grand 
friends,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Miss  Brintnall,  sarcastically; 
''but  I  contend  that  human  nature  is  everywhere 
the  same.     Money  and  rank  don't  change  it.     I  think 


GILBERT  GEETSON'^S   FORTUNES.  105 

it  very  likely  that  some  of  your  Fifth  Avenue 
grandees  beat  their  wives." 

"  0  Miss  Brintnall !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Bower  and 
]Mr.  Jones  in  chorus. 

"  Yes,  I  do  believe  it.     I  won't  take  a  word  back." 

"  I  don't  believe  your  husband  will  ever  beat  you, 
Miss  Brintnall,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls,  slyly. 

''  I  think  not,"  said  the  teacher,  decidedly.  ''  I 
should  allow  him  all  the  rights  which  he  could  fairly 
claim,  but  I  would  not  let  him  infringe  upon  mine." 

''  I  wouldn't  marry  her  for  a  million  dollars," 
whispered  Mr.  Bower  to  his  wife. 

''  Isn't  she  horrid  ?  "  was  the  shuddering  reply. 

Here  some  one  started  a  new  topic  of  conversation, 
and  Miss  Brintnall  subsided. 


106  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OR, 


CHAPTER  XL 

A   NEW   ARRANGEMENT. 

About  nine  o'clock  that  evening  Gilbert's  trunk 
arrived.  He  received  it  with  satisfaction,  and  un- 
packed it  at  once,  putting  a  part  of  his  clothing  into 
the  drawers  of  a  small  bureau,  which,  with  the  bed- 
stead  and  one  chair,  took  up  about  all  the  space  in  his 
contracted  chamber. 

Mr.  Ingalls  stepped  in  as  he  was  unpacking. 

"  You  haven't  got  much  extra  room,"  he  said. 

"No,  I  wish  my  room  was  larger,"  said  Gilbert; 
"but  it  is  as  large  as  I  can  afford." 

"My  room  is  at  least  twice  as  large,  but  by  shar- 
ing it  with  another  I  pay  no  more  than  you  do." 

"  You  are  in  luck ;  that  is,  if  your  room-mate  is 
agreeable." 

"  We  get  along  very  well,  but  I  expect  to  lose  him 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S  FORTUNES.  107 

I 

in  a  week.     He  is  to  leave  the  city.     If  you  would 
like  to  take  his  place,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  you." 

"  Will  it  increase  my  board?  "  asked  Gilbert. 

"  How  much  do  you  pay  now?  " 

"  Six  dollars." 

^'No;  you  would  pay  the  same  as  my  room-mate." 

''  Then  I  will  accept  your  offer  with  thanks." 

''  I  hope  you  won't  have  cause  to  repent  it,"  said 
Mr.  Ingalls.  "  If  you  do  at  any  time  I  will  let 
you  off" 

"If  you  should  many  Miss  Brintnall,"  suggested 
Gilbert,  with  a  smile,  "  you  will  have  to  give  me 
warning." 

'*  No  Miss  Brintnall  for  me!"  said  Ingalls.  ^'I 
don't  want  to  be  a  henpecked  husband,  or  marry  one 
who  would  insist  on  wearing  the  breeches." 

•'  The  lady  seems  partial  to  you." 

"  She  is  not  only  partial,  but  martial,"  said  the 
young  man,  who  was  apt  to  indulge  in  poor  jokes ;  "I 
would  as  soon  marry  an  Amazon.  When  you  get 
through  unpacking,  come  to  my  room ;  you  may  like 
to  see  it." 


108  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  I  have  unpacked  as  much  as  I  intend  to  to-night, 
I  will  go  with  jou  now." 

Mr.  Ingalls'  room  was  square  in  shape,  and  of  very 
good  dimensions ;  it  was  better  furnished  also  than 
Gilbert's.  It  contained  two  single  beds,  side  by  side, 
a  good  closet,  a  sofa,  a  bureau,  rocking-chair,  and 
several  ordinary  chairs.  Several  fair  engravings 
adorned  the  walls,  and  Gilbert  felt  that  it  would  be 
decidedly  pleasanter  for  him  to  share  such  a  room  as 
this  with  a  pleasant  companion,  than  to  reign  sole 
master  of  a  hall  bedroom. 

''How  do  you  like  it?  "  asked  Mr.  Ingalls. 

"  Very  much  better  than  mine.  1  shall  be  glad  to 
change." 

"  Then  we  will  consider  the  arrangement  decided 
upon.     Can  I  offer  you  a  cigarette?  " 

"  No,  thank  you;  I  never  smoke." 

"That  is  where  you  are  sensible;  I  only  indulge 
myself  occasionally." 

They  sat  for  half  an  hour  and  chatted.  Gilbert 
was  favorably  impressed  by  his  new  friend,  who, 
though  ten  years  older  than  himself,  proved  a  congen- 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S  FORTUNES.  109 

ial   companion.     At   ten  o'clock  he   bade  him  good- 
night, and  went  to  bed. 

His  bed  was  not  particularly  soft  or  luxurious,  but 
he  slept  soundly,  and  awoke  in  the  morning  refreshed. 
He  took  an  early  breakfast,  and  walked  down-town 
with  Mr.  Ingalls. 

When  Mr.  Moore,  the  book-keeper,  arrived,  Gilbert 
was  already  at  work. 

"  A  new  broom  sweeps  clean,"  sneered  Moore,  m 
an  unpleasant  tone. 

'■'■  Do  you  mean  me?  "  asked  Gilbert. 

''Yes;  you  are  trying  to  make  Mr.  Sands  think 
you  a  model." 

"  I  hope  he  won't  think  that,  for  he  will  find  out  his 
mistake." 

"  He  will  find  out  his  mistake,"  said  Moore ;  "I 
predict  that." 

"  I  intend  to  do  my  work  faithfully,"  said  Gilbert; 
"  there  will  be  no  mistake  about  that." 

"I've  heard  boys  talk  that  way  before.  They 
don't  deceive  me." 


110  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    Oily 

Just  then  Mr.  Sands  entered.  He  greeted  Gilbert 
pleasantly. 

"  So  jou  are  on  hand  in  good  season.  I  like  to 
see  that." 

"  I  shall  try  not  to  be  late,  sir." 

'^  Where  do  you  board  ?  " 

"  In  Waverly  Place." 

"  That  is  convenient  as  regards  distance.  You  may 
go  to  the  Post  Office  for  letters." 

As  Gilbert  started  for  the  Post  Office,  a  boy  about 
his  own  age  came  up  and  joined  him. 

''  Are  you  Mr.  Sands'  new  boy  ?  "  he  asked. 

*'  Yes,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"  You've  got  my  place,  then.     I  used  to  be  there." 

''  Did  you  ?  I  am  sorry  to  have  interfered  with 
you." 

"  You  won't  like  it.  He  is  very  hard  to  get  along 
with." 

"  He  doesn't  look  like  it." 

"  He  discharged  me  for  just  nothing  at  all.  That's 
what  my  cousin,  the  book-keeper,  says."  * 

"  Is  Mr.  Moore  your  cousin?  "  asked  Gilbert,  who 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  Ill 

began  now  to  understand  the  cause  of  his  own  unpopu- 
larity with  that  official. 

"  Yes ;  he  lives  at  our  house." 

Gilbert  said  nothing,  judging  that  it  would  be 
repeated. 

''  I  hope  you  will  get  another  place,"  he  said, 
politely 

"  I  don't  want  another  place.  I  want  to  be  where 
my  cousin  is." 

Gilbert  felt  rather  awkward. 

"  That  is  natural,"  he  said  ;  "  I  am  sorry  you  are 
disappointed,  but,  of  course,  I  am  glad  to  get  a  place. 
I  have  to  shift  for  myself,  and  it  is  necessary  I  should 
be  earning  money." 

"You  won't  stay  long;  old  Sands  will  discharge 
you." 

"  I  hope  not.  If  I  do  my  duty  faithfully,  I  don't 
see  why  he  should." 

"  That  won't  make  any  difference.  Didn't  I  dis- 
charge my  duty  faithfully  ?  " 

Gilbert  did  not  know,  and  expressed  no  opinion. 
Moreover,   he   thought  he   would   not   inquire,    pre- 


112  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    OR^ 

ferrino:  to  remain  neutral.  Besides,  he  doubted 
whether  he  could  fuUj  relj  on  the  correctness  of 
John's  statements. 

"  I  don't  want  to  lose  my  place,"  he  said ;  "  but  if 
I  do,  I  hope  you  will  get  it  back  again." 

''  Suppose  you  resign  in  my  favor,"  suggested  John, 
in  an  insinuating  manner. 

"  I  would  rather  not,"  ansAvered  Gilbert,  who  felt 
that  this  request  was  decidedly  cool. 


''  Just  as  I  thought,"  muttered  John. 


"  Mr.  Sands  would  not  thank  me  for  meddling  with 
what  is  not  my  business.  If  he  chooses,  at  any  time, 
to  put  you  back  and  dismiss  me,  he'll  do  so  without 
any  request  from  me." 

John  did  not  vouchsafe  an  answer,  but  walked  off 
sullenly. 

Nothing  of  any  importance  occurred  during  the 
day,  except  that  Gilbert  found  the  book-koeper  as 
disagreeable  as  ever.  It  seemed  impossible  to  suit 
him.  This  Gilbert  correctly  attributed  to  his  disap- 
pointment that  his  cousin  had  been  superseded. 


GILBERT   GRETSOn'S  FORTUNES,  113 

About  the  hour  of  closing,  Gilbert  was  surprised 
at  the  entrance  of  JSIr.  Briggs. 

''  How  are  you  getting  on,  Gilbert  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Very  well,  thank  you,  sir." 

''  Do  you  think  you  shall  like  this  place  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  think  so." 

"  And  you  don't  regret  leaving  school  ?  " 

•'Yes,  sir,  I  do;  but  that  can't  be  helped,  and  I 
don't  trouble  myself  with  thinking  of  it." 

''  You  are  right  there ;  are  you  ready  to  go  up 
town?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

''  Come  along  with  me,  then." 

When  they  were  in  the  street,  Mr.  Briggs  said, 
"  I  will  tell  you  in  a  few  words  what  I  mean  to  do  for 
you,  so  that  you  can  have  a  fair  understanding  about 
money  matters.  I  shall  pay  your  board,  and  out  of 
your  wages  you  will  be  able  to  buy  your  clothes  and 
provide  for  your  other  expenses.'* 

"  But,  Mr.  Briggs,"  said  Gilbert,  ''  I  shall  be  able 

to  pay  part  of  my  board.     I  do  not  wish  to  be  such  a 

burden  to  you." 
8 


114         SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OB, 

"  Say  no  more  about  it,"  said  his  guardian,  has- 
tily, "  I  insist  upon  that  arrangement." 

"  But,  sir,  I  shall  want  sometime  to  repay  you  for 
the  money  you  spend  on  me." 

"  When  you  are  a  rich  man,  I  will  permit  you  to 
do  so.     Till  then,  think  nothing  of  it." 

"  I  am  at  least  very  grateful  to  you  for  your  kind- 
ness," said  Gilbert. 

For  some  reason  Mr.  Briggs  seemed  uncomfortable 
whenever  Gilbert  spoke  of  gratitude,  and  tried  to  drop 
the  subject. 

"  Randolph  spoke  of  calling  to  see  you  this  even- 
ing," he  said.     "  Shall  you  be  at  home  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  him  come." 

Gilbert  was  rather  astonished  at  such  a  mark  of 
attention  on  the  part  of  the  young  aristocrat,  but 
determined  to  treat  him  cordially,  for  his  father's 
sake. 


GILBERT  GHEYSON'S  FORTUNES.  115 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

Randolph's  call. 

Randolph  had  expressed  to  his  father  in  the  morn- 
ing an  intention  of  calling  upon  Gilbert.  His  motive 
was  not  interest  in  our  hero's  welfare,  but  curiosity 
to  find  out  how  he  was  situated,  as  indeed  he  freely 
acknowledged. 

"  I  wouldn't  call  if.  I  were  you,  Randolph,"  said 
his  mother. 

"  Why  not?"  asked  her  husband. 

"Gilbert  will  move  in  a  different  sphere,"  said  Mrs. 
Briggs,  loftily.  "I  do  not  wish  my  son  to  form 
intimacies  beneath  him." 

"I  don't  intend  to,"  said  Randolph;  '^I  want  to 
see  what  sort  of  a  place  he  is  in." 

'■ '  He  will  be  likely  to  presume  upon  your  conde- 
scension, and  boast  of  you  as  one  of  his  friends." 

Mr.  Briggs  understood  Gilbert  better. 

"  No  fear  of  that !  "  he  said.     "  Gilbert  is  a  boy 


116         SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    ORy 

of  spirit.  He  is  not  one  to  seek  or  accept  patronage. 
His  pride  is  quite  as  great  as  Randolph's." 

"  What  has  he  to  be  proud  of,  I  should  like  to 
know,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  with  a  sneer. 

''  He  is  mj  ward,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  stifilj,  •'  and  it 
is  quite  proper  that  mj  son  should  pay  him  some 
attention." 

''You   seem   to    be   infatuated   about    that  boy,*' 

said   his   wife   coldly.     ''I    suppose   you   will   want 

him  invited  to  Randolph's  birthday  party  next  month." 

"I  certainly  shall,"  said  Mr.  Briggs. 
« 

"  This  is  going  rather  too  far,"  said  his  wife  angrily. 

"  However  that  may  be,  he  must  be  invited." 

"  I  should  think  I  had  some  voice  in  that  matter, 
Mr.  Briggs." 

"  Unless  Gilbert  Greyson  is  invited,  there  shall  be 
no  party  at  all,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  with  decision. 

Mrs.  Briggs  felt  that  the  fiat  had  gone  forth.  Her 
husband  generally  yielded  to  her,  but  sometimes  he 
put  his  foot  down,  as  the  saying  is,  and  was  not  to  be 
moved.  She  felt  very  much  annoyed,  but  Randolph 
offered  her  a  way  of  yielding  gracefully. 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES,  117 

"  Oh,  let  the  beggar  come,"  he  said.  ^'He  will  be 
good  fun.     I  want  to  see  how  he  will  behave." 

"  Since  jou  wish  it,  Randolph,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs, 
addressing  herself  pointedly  to  her  son,  "I  will 
make  no  further  objection.  It  is  your  party,  and 
you  ought  to  have  your  own  way.  But  I  shouldn't 
think  it  was  necessary  for  you  to  call  on  the  boy. 
He  is  at  some  cheap  boarding  house,  I  suppose." 

'•'■  Cheap,  but  perfectly  respectable,"  said  Mr. 
Briorofs. 

"Iv/antto  see  what  a  cheap  boarding-house  is 
like,"  said  Randolph ;  and  his  mother  said  no  more. 

At  eight  o'clock  tiie  servant  brought  up  to  Gilbert's 
room  a  card  bearing  the  name  of  Randolph  Briggs. 

''It's  a  young  gentleman  that  wants  to  see  you," 
she  explained. 

"I  will  go  down  and  bring  him  up,"  said  Gilbert. 

He  hurried  downstairs,  and  found  Randolph  wait- 
ing in  the  parlor. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Randolph,"  he  said 
cordially;  "will  you  stay  here,  or  come  up  to  my 
room?" 


118  SHIFTING   FOR    HIMSELF;    OR, 

"I  would  like  to  see  your  room,"  said  Randolph. 

"It  isn't  much  to  see,"  said  Gilbert;  '"but  I  shall 
be  glad  to  have  you  come  up." 

''It's  a  long  way  down-town,"  said  Randolph. 

"  All  the  better  for  me.     I  am  nearer  my  place  of 
business." 

Gilbert's  room  was  on  the  third  floor,  ba<;k.     He 
opened  the  door  and  invited  Randolph  in. 

"  What  a   small    place ! "    exclaimed    Randolph, 
looking  around  him. 

''  So  it  is,"  said  Gilbert ;  ''but  I  make  it  do." 

"  And  the   furniture   is   extremely   common,"   re- 
marked his  visitor,  critically. 

"That  is  true  also,"  said  Gilbert,  laughing. 

"  There  does  not  seem  to  be  much  of  it  either ;  you 
have  but  one  chair." 

"Take  that,  if  you  please,  and  I  will  sit  on   the 
bed." 

Randolph  sat  down,  but  not  till  he  had  examined 
the  chair  careliiUy  to  see  if  it  was  clean. 

"  I  don't  see  how  you  can  live  in  such  a  place," 
remarked  the  young  aristocrat. 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S   FORTUNES.  119 

"  Oh,  I  easily  accommodate  mjself  to  it,''  said 
Gilbert;  "but  1  hope  soon  to  make  a  change  for  the 
better." 

"Indeed!" 

"  Yes  ;  a  young  man  in  the  house  has  a  large  room, 
which  he  has  agreed  to  share  with  me  as  soon  as  his 
present  room-mate  leaves.  That  will  probably  be  in  a 
week.     Then  I  can  offer  you  a  better  reception." 

"  What  is  the  young  man's  name  ?  " 

"  Ingalls.     I  believe  he  comes  from  Massachusetts." 

"Is  he  in  business  ?  " 

"Yes;  he  is  in  a  stationery  store  on  "William 
Street.  Of  course,  he  is  a  new  acquaintance,  but  I 
think  we  shall  get  on  well  together." 

"  What  sort  of  boarders  have  you  here  ?  "  asked 
Randolph,  curiously. 

"  Rather  a  miscellaneous  class.  The  gentlemen 
are  chiefly  in  business.  There  is  one  public  school- 
teacher—  a  lady." 

"  Of  course,  there  is  nobody  that  moves  in  good 
society?" 

"  I  really  don't  know." 


120  SniFTINQ   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

''  How  much  board  do  jou  pay?  " 

"  Six  dollars.'^ 

"Six  dollars  !  "  repeated  Randolph,  turning  up  hia 
nose. 

"  Some  of  the  boarders  pay  considerably  more,  but 
my  room,  as  you  see,  is  small,  and  that  makes  it  low 
for  me." 

''  What  sort  of  a  table  have  you  ?  " 

"  Plain,  but  as  good  as  could  be  expected.  Of 
course  it  don't  compare  with  yours." 

"  I  should  say  not." 

"  But  I  find  no  fault  with  it^.  Everything  is 
served  neatly,  and  that  is  what  I  care  most  about." 

At  this  point  Mr.  Ingalls  knocked  at  the  door. 

"  Excuse  me,"  he  said,  when  he  saw  Randolph;  "I 
didn't  know  you  had  company." 

''Come  in,"  said  Gilbert;  "or  rather,  if  your  room- 
mate is  out,  let  us  adjourn  to  your  room.  We  shall 
be  more  comfortable." 

"  Certainly  ;  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  you." 

"Mr.  Randolph  Briggs,  Mr.  Ingalls,"  said  Gilbert, 
by  way  of  introduction. 


GILBERT   GBEYSON^S   FORTUNES.  121 

"I    am    glad    to    make   your    acquaintance,    Mr. 
Briggs,"  said  the  young  man. 

Randolph  bowed  condescendingly. 

They  went  at  once  to  the  laro;er  room. 

"  This  is  much  better,"  said  Randolph,  ^yho  seemed 
surprised  to  see  a  sofa, 

"Yes,  I  shall  consider  myself  promoted  when  I 
get  here." 

^•'Are  you  in  business,  Mr.  Briggs?"  asked  Mr. 
Ingalls. 

'•  Oh,  no,  I  am  preparing  for  college,"  said  Ran- 
dolph ;   ''there  is  no  need  of  my  going  into  business." 

"  I  wish  I  could  have  gone  to  college,"  said  Gil- 
bert, regretfully. 

''It  takes  money  to  go  to  college,"  said  Randolph, 
complacently;  "I  intend  to  live  in  style  when  I  go 
there." 

"I  am  afraid,  Gilbert,"  said  young  Ingalls,  "we 
must  put  off  going  till  our  wages  are  raised." 

"  I  must  put  it  off  forever,"  said  Gilbert. 

"I  have  hopes  of  getting  ready  when  I  am  fifty," 


122  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

said  the  young  man  ;  "  perhaps  Mr.  Briggs  will  be  a 
professor  at  that  time." 

''  I  wouldn't  teach,"  said  Randolph,  "  though  it  ia 
very  respectable  to  be  a  professor.  I  shall  be  a  man 
of  fortune." 

Mr.  Ingalls  glanced  quietly  at  Gilbert.  He  was 
evidently  amused  by  the  self-importance  of  the  young 
aristocrat. 

^'  Do  you  like  your  place,  Gilbert  ?  "  asked  Ran- 
dolph. 

'' Pretty  well." 

''  You  haven't  got  any  ice- water  here,  have  you  ?  '* 

•'  I  will  go  down  and  order  some." 

While  Gilbert  was  gone,  Randolph  said,  "I  am 
glad  Gilbert  has  got  a  place,  for  he  is  poor  and  needs 
it.  My  father  has  done  a  great  deal  for  him ;  but 
then  he  can  afford  it,  for  he  is  a  rich  man.  I  have 
no  friends  in  this  neighborhood ;  but  I  thought  I 
would  come  down  to  see  how  he  was  getting  along." 

"  Gilbert  ought  to  be  very  grateful,"  said  Mr. 
Ingalls,  dryly. 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S  FORTUNES,  123 

"  I  think  so,  too.  It  is  not  every  poor  boy  who 
has  a  rich  man  to  help  him." 

Here  Gilbert  re-entered  with  the  water,  and  shortly 
after  Randolph  left. 

^'  What  do  you  think  of  him,  Mr.  Ingalls  ?  "  asked 
Gilbert. 

"  He  seems  to  think  a  good  deal  of  himself,"  said 
the  young  man.  ''He  referred  to  you  in  a  very 
patronizing  way." 

Gilbert  laughed. 

"  His  mother  has  spoiled  him,"  he  said ;  "  she  is 
the  most  disagreeable  woman  I  ever  saw.  If  Ran- 
dolph had  been  brought  up  dififerently,  he  might  not 
show  so  much  foolish  pride.  I  like  his  father  best  of 
the  three." 

Gilbert  little  suspected  that  the  man  whom  he 
praised  had  been,  thus  far  in  life,  his  worst  enemy. 


124:  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OR^ 


CHAPTER    Xni. 

GILBERT   CALLS   ON   THE   VIVIANS. 

As  the  boarders  rose  from  the  dinner-table  on  Fri- 
day, Alphonso  Jones  addressed  Gilbert. 

"  Let  us  take  a  walk,"  he  proposed. 

''Thank  you,"  said  Gilbert;  "but  I  have  an  eii- 
gagement." 

"I  suppose  there  is  a  lady  in  the  case,"  said 
Alphonso,  slyly. 

"  There  is  a  young  lady  where  I  am  going,"  an- 
swered Gilbert. 

"  So  I  thought.  I  suppose  you  wouldn't  be  will- 
ing to  mention  names  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes.  I  am  going  to  call  on  Mr.  Vivian,  in 
West  Forty-eighth  Street." 

"What!  Mr.  Vivian,  the  great  merchant?"  asked 
Jones,  surprised. 

"  I  believe  he  is  an  extensive  importer.' 


7J 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  125 

*'  That's  the  one  I  mean.  How  in  the  world  did 
you  get  acquainted  there?  " 

"  I  haven't  been  long  acquainted,"  said  our  hero. 

Alphonso  Jones  was  a  young  man  who,  in  England, 
would  be  called  a  tuft-hunter.  He  aspired  to  be  on 
visiting  terms  in  families  of  high  social  position :  but 
thus  far  had  not  met  with  much  success.  This  did 
not  prevent  him  from  boasting  contmually  of  intimacy 
in  quarters  where  he  was  not  even  acquainted.  He 
did  not  dream  that  his  little  imposture  was  easily  seen 
through  by  most  of  those  who  knew  him,  but  wa3 
complacent  in  the  thought  that  he  was  classed  with 
that  aristocracy,  which  he  admired  from  a  distance. 

"  Don't  you  know  the  Vivians,  Mr.  Jones  ?  "  asked 
Mr.  Ligalls.  ''  I  thought  you  knew  everybody  that 
was  worth  knowing." 

'  So  I  do,"  said  Alphonso,  with  an  air  of  impor- 
tance, — "  that  is,  nearly  everybody.  I  met  the 
Vivian?,  I  believe,  at  Saratoga,  but  did  not  have  a 
chance  to  cultivate  their  acquaintance.  Greyson, 
will  you  do  me  a  favor?  " 

"What  is  it?"  asked  Gilbert 


126  SHIFTING   FOR    HIMSELF;    OR, 

''Let  me  accompany  you  this  evening  to  Mr. 
Vivian's.  You  can  introduce  me  as  your  friend,  in 
case  they  do  not  remember  our  former  meeting." 

"  I  should  like  to  oblige  you,  Mr.  Jones,"  said 
Gilbert,  "but  my  own  acquaintance  is  too  limited  to 
allow  me  to  take  such  a  liberty." 

"Just  as  you  say,  of  course,"  said  Alphonso, 
crestfallen.  "I  dare  say  I  shall  soon  meet  them  at 
some  fashionable  party." 

"  So  it  will  really  not  make  much  difference,"  sug- 
gested Ingalls. 

"Oh,  very  little,"  said  Mr.  Jones,  nonchalantly.  "  I 
thought  perhaps  Mr.  Grey  son  might  like  the  company 
of  one  who  was  used  to  society.  I  think,  on  the 
whole,  I  will  call  on  my  friends,  the  Montmorencys, 
this  evening." 

"Where  do  they  live,  Mr.  Jones?"  asked  Mr. 
Ingalls. 

"  They  occupy  an  elegant  mansion  on  Fifth 
Avenue,"  answered  Alphonso,  consequentially. 

"Couldn't  you  take  me  along  with  you?"  asked 
Mr.  Ingalls,  demurely. 


GILBERT   GEETSON^S   FORTUNES.  127 

*^I  fear  not,"  said  Alphonso.  ''The  fact  is,  Mr. 
Tngalls,  the  Montmorencys  are  very  exclusive,  and 
have  expressly  said  to  me  more  than  once,  '  We  are 
always  glad  to  have  you  drop  in,  Mr.  Jones,  for  we 
look  upon  you  as  one  of  ourselves ;  but  bring  no  stran- 
gers. Our  circle  is  already  extensive,  and  we  cannot 
add  to  it.'     Very  sorry,  of  course." 

"So  am  I,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls.  "  I 
should  like  to  know  a  few  high-toned  people.  How 
fortunate  you  are  in  knowing  so  many  !  What  is  the 
number  of  the  Montmorency s'  house?  " 

"  I  always  forget  numbers,"  said  Alphonso,  rather 
confused  (for  the  whole  story  of  the  Montmorencys 
was  a  fiction),  "  but,  of  course,  the  house  is  familiar 
to  me.     It's  on  Murray  Hill." 

"  That  fellow  is  a  humbug,  Gilbert,"  said  Ingalls, 
as  he  and  his  room-mate  entered  their  own  apartment. 
"  He  pretends  to  have  a  great  many  fashionable  friends  ; 
but  it's  all  a  sham.  Some  day  I'm  gomg  to  teach 
him  a  lesson." 

-"How?" 

"  Introduce  a  friend  of  mine,  a  good  amateur  actor, 


128  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

as  a  French  count.  Fancy  his  delight  at  making  such 
an  aristocratic  acquaintance  !  " 

"Let  me  know  when  the  time  comes,"  said  Gilbert, 
lauMiino:. 

"  You  shall  assist  me  in  it.  I  hope  you  ^ill  have 
a  pleasant  call  this  evening." 

''  I  have  no  doubt  of  it." 

Gilbert  dressed  himself  carefully,  and  at  half-past 
seven  started  on  his  visit.  The  evening  was  pleasant, 
and  he  decided  to  walk.  Just  opposite  the  Hoffmari 
House  he  fell  in  with  Randolph  Briggs. 

"  Hallo,  Gilbert,"  called  out  Randolph,  "  where 
are  you  bound,  —  to  our  house  ?  I  don't  believe  you'll 
find  anybody  at  home." 

"  I  am  bound  elsewhere,"  said  Gilbert. 

''  Where  ?  "  asked  Randolph,  curiously. 

''  To  Mr.  Vivian's." 

"  To  call  upon  Laura  ?  " 

"  My  call  will  not  be  exclusively  upon  her,"  said 
Gilbert. 

"  Take  my  advice  and  don't  go,"  said  Randolph, 
actuated  by  jealousy. 


GILBERT   GEEYSOy'S   FORTUNES.  129 

"  Why  not  ?  "  Gilbert  asked,  quietly. 

'^  They  might  look  upon  it  as  an  intrusion." 

"  I  don't  think  they  will,  as  I  was  specially  invited 
for  this  evenino;." 

"Out  of  politeness.  Probably  they  have  forgotten 
all  about  it." 

'•  It  appears  to  me,  Randolph,  that  you  take  a  good 
deal  of  interest  in  this  matter,"  said  Gilbert,  amused. 

"  Oh,  I  care  nothing  about  it ;  only  as  a  friend  I 
thought  I  would  just  mention  that  it  might  be  thought 
rather  presumptuous  to  take  advantage  of  the  accident 
that  made  you  acquainted  with  Laura,  to  force  your- 
self upon  the  family.  If  I  were  a  poor  boy  like  you, 
I  would  be  careful  to  associate  with  my  own  class." 

Gilbert  was  provoked  at  Randolph's  insolence,  as  he 
rightly  considered  it,  and  answered  coldly,  "  I  will 
think  of  your  advice,  Mr.  Briggs.  I  appreciate  your 
motives  in  offering  it." 

•*  "What  does  he  mean  ?  "  thought  Randolph,  follow- 
ing with  his  eyes  his  father's  ward.  "  I  believe  the 
fellow  is  angry  with  me.  Poor  and  proud,  I  dare  say. 
The  Vivians  will  soon  get  tired  of  him." 


130  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

But  though  he  tried  to  console  himself  with  this 
reflection,  it  chafed  Randolph  not  a  little  that  Gilbert 
should  be  invited  to  a  house  which  he  could  not  hope 
to  enter. 

Gilbert  kept  on  his  way  to  Mr.  Vivian's  house 
arrivintr  about  eight  o'clock. 

''  Is  Mr.  Vivian  at  home  ? "  he  inquired  of  the 
servant  who  answered  his  summons. 

"  He  went  out  for  half  an  hour ;  will  you  come  in 
and  wait  for  him  ?  "  * 

"  Is  Miss  Laura  in  ?  * 

"  I  believe  she  is." 

"  Then  you  may  hand  her  my  card,  if  you  please.'* 

Gilbert  was  ushered  into  the  parlor.  He  did  not 
have  to  wait  long.  Laura  entered  and  cordially 
offered  her  hand. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,  Gilbert —  Mr.Grey- 
son,  I  mean." 

''  Never  mind  about  Mr.  Greyson,"  said  Gilbert, 
smiling.     "  Call  me  Gilbert,  if  you  don't  mind.'' 

•'Then  I  will,"  said  Laura,  frankly.      "Do  you 


GILBERT   GRETSON^S   FORTUNES.  131 

know,  I  already  begin  to  look  upon  you  as  an  old 
friend.'' 

''  I  am  very  glad  of  that,  Miss  Laura." 

"  My  father  went  out  for  half  an  hour,  as  the 
servant  probably  told  you.  He  bade  me  keep  you  till 
his  return." 

"  Thank  you ;  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  stay." 

"  I  met  a  friend  of  yours  on  Fifth  Avenue  yester- 
day, Gilbert. 

''Who  was  it?" 

''  Randolph  Briggs." 

Gilbert  smiled. 

"  I  don't  know  how  far  he  is  my  friend,"  he  said; 
''  though  he  told  me  this  evening  he  was,  and  as  a 
friend  he  ventured  to  give  me  some  advice." 

"Indeed?"  said  Laura,  looking  the  curiosity  she 
felt. 

"  Would  you  like  to  hear  what  it  was  ?  ' 

"  I  certainly  should,  for  it  doesn't  strike  me  that 
Randolph  Briggs  is  particularly  qualified  to  give 
advice  to  anybody." 

''  He  advised  me  not  to  come  here." 


132  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

"Not  to  come  here!  Whj  not?"  exclaimed 
Laura,  impetuously. 

"  He  said  I  was  only  invited  out  of  compliment, 
and  that  my  visit  Tvould  probably  be  considered  an 
intrusion." 

"  I  wonder  how  he  dared  to  say  such  things  !  "  said 
Laura,  indignantly.  "  What  can  he  know  of  our  feel- 
ings ?    Why,  he  isn't  on  visiting  terms  here  himself !  " 

"  I  suppose  he  meant  it  for  my  good,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  I  am  glad  you  didn't  take  his  advice,  Gilbert."  - 

''  I  didn't  care  to  deprive  myself  of  a  pleasure. 
Besides,  I  thought  I  could  soon 'judge  for  myself 
whether  you  looked  upon  me  as  an  intruder." 

"What  do  you  think  about  it?"  asked  Laura. 
"  You  have  been  here  long  enough  to  decide." 

"  I  think  I  will  stay  a  little  longer." 

Just  then  a  boy  of  ten  opened  the  door  of  the 
parlor. 

"Laura,"  he  said,  "mother  wants  you  to  bring 
Mr.  Grayson  into  the  library." 


GILBERT  GEETSON'S  FORTUNES.  133 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


A   PLEASANT   EVENING. 


Gilbert  was  presented  to  a  pleasant-looking  lady, 
whom  Laura  introduced  as  her  mother. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Mr.  Greyson,"  she  said, 
cordially:  "I  supposed  Laura  would  bring  you  in 
here  at  once,  but  it  seemed  to  be  her  intention  to 
monopolize  you." 

"  We     had     important    business     to    talk     over, 


mamma." 


u 


Very  important,  no  doubt.  How  do  you  like  the 
city,  Mr.  Greyson  ?  " 

"  I  think  I  shall  like  it  after  I  am  better 
acquainted,"  Gilbert  answered. 

"You  haven't  introduced  me,  Laura,"  said  her 
brother  Fred,  in  an  ao:orrieved  tone. 

•'Gilbert,"    said   Laura,    ''let    me    introduce     to 


134  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

your  favorable  notice  mj  brother  Fred,  who,  in  hi.<5 
own  opinion,  is  a  model  of  all  the  virtues." 

"  I  am  glad  to  meet  him.  I  never  saw  a  model  boy 
before,"  said  Gilbert,  pleasantly. 

"  I  never  pretended  to  be  a  model  boy,"  said  Fred. 
"  Laura's  only  chaffing." 

^' Where  did  you  pick  up  that  word,  Fred?"  said 
his  mother. 

"Isn't  it  a  good  word,  mamma?  It's  just  what 
she  does." 

"  Fred  has  just  commenced  Latin,"  said  Laura, 
"  but  I  am  afraid,  from  his  own  story,  that  it  is  just 
wearing  out  his  constitution." 

"  I  don't  see  any  good  in  it,"  said  Fred.  "  Do 
you  know  Latin,  Mr.  Greyson?  " 

"  I  have  studied  it  some." 

"How  far  have  you  been?  " 

"I  have  read  Coesar  and  Virgil." 

"  Oh,  then  you  know  a  lot  about  it.  I'm  only  in 
the  second  declension." 

"  You  don't  like  it,  then?" 


GILBERT  GRETSON*S  FORTUNES.  135 

"I5ot  much.  I  don't  see  how  anybody  could  ever 
talk  such  stuff." 

''  You  will  be  more  interested  in  it  as  you  get  on 
further.  That  was  the  way  with  me.  I  wasn't  in 
love  with  it  at  first." 

''  I  hope  so,"  said  Fred. 

Here  Mr.  Vivian  entered,  and  greeted  Gilbert 
cordially. 

'^  I  told  Laura  to  keep  you,"  he  said.  ''What 
have  you  been  doing  since  Ave  met?  " 

"  I  have  got  a  place,  or  rather  Mr.  Briggs  got  one 
for  me." 

"  What  sort  of  a  place  ?  " 

'^  I  am  with  Mr.  Sands,  a  stock-broker.  His  office 
is  on  Wall  Street." 

"  I  know  of  him,  though  I  don't  personally  know 
him.     How  do  you  like  your  new  situation  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  been  there  long  enough  to  decide.  I 
like  Mr.  Sands." 

"  Are  you  still  an  inmate  of  Mr.  Briggs'  house  ?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  I  am  boarding  on  Clinton  Place,  near 
Broadway." 


136         SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oi?, 

"  You  find  that  more  convenient  to  your  oflBce  ?  " 

*'Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  jou  have  fairlj  got  started  in  jour  business 
career.     I  hope  you  may  be  successfuL" 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

"  I  beheve  you  told  me  that  your  money,  of  which 
Mr.  Briggs  had  charge,  has  been  entirely  expended  on 
your  education?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Are  you  compelled,  then,  to  live  on  your  weekly 
wages?  " 

"  I  don't  think  I  could  do  that  very  well,  as  they 
only  amount  to  five  dollars  a  week.  Mr.  Briggs 
offered  to  pay  my  board,  and  let  me  use  this  for 
other  expenses.  I  don't  like  to  have  him  do  it, 
but  he  insists  upon  it." 

"  That  seems  kind,"  said  Mr.  Vivian.  ''  Was  it 
your  idea,  or  his,  to  go  to  a  boarding-house  ?  " 

"I  suspect,"  said  Gilbert,  hesitating,  for  he  was 
not  clear  whether  he  ought  to  tell  this,  '^  that  it  was 
Mrs.  Briggs'  idea.  From  the  first,  she  has  not 
seemed  to  like  me." 


GILBERT  GRETSON's   FORTUNES.  137 

''  I  don't  like  her  looks,"  said  Laura  ;  ''  I  hn  ve  seen 
her  several  times.  You  know,  papa,  she  was  at  the 
same  hotel  with  us  at  Sarato2;a.     She  looks  cross." 

"  You  must  not  speak  too  hastily  against  people, 
Laura,"  said  Mrs.  Vivian. 

"  I  suspect  Laura  only  shares  the  general  feeling," 
said  Mr.  Vivian.  "Mrs.  Briggs  is,  by  no  means,  a 
favorite  in  society." 

''  Nor  Randolph,  either,"  added  Laura. 

"  I  thought  he  was  a^  beau  of  yours,  Laura,"  said 
her  father,  slyly. 

"He  never  was,  papa.  I  used  to  meet  him  at 
dancing-school,  and  I  have  danced  with  him  there; 
but  that  is  the  end  of  our  acquaintance.  If  he  bows 
to  me  I  bow  back,  but  I  don't  care  to  know  any  more 
of  him." 

"  Can't  we  have  a  little  music,  Laura?"  asked  her 
father. 

"  I  only  play  a  little.     Do  you  play,  Gilbert  ?  " 

"  No,  Miss  Laura." 

"Or  sing?" 


138  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OR^ 

''A  little." 

''Then  I'll  make  a  bargain;  I  will  play  if  you 
will  sing." 

"  I  hardlj  feel  prepared  to  sing  in  company." 

"This  isn't  company.  You  needn't  mind  any  of 
us.     Fred,  open  th-e  folding-doors,  will  you  ?  " 

The  piano  was  in  the  parlor  adjoining.  The  doors 
were  thrown  open,  and  Laura  sat  down  to  the  piano. 
Two  or  three  songs  were  selected,  and  Gilbert  sang  to 
Laura's  accompaniment.  He  had  a  good  voice,  and  a 
correct  ear,  and  the  double  performance  passed  off 
smoothly. 

"Doesn't  your  brother  sing?"  asked  Gilbert. 

"Fred?  He  don't  know  one  tune  from  another; 
besides,  he  don't  like  the  piano.  The  hand-organ  is 
his  favorite  instrument." 

"  I  mean  to  buy  one  when  I  am  rich  enough,"  said 
Fred. 

"  Shall  you  go  around  with  it?  "  asked  Laura;  "  or 
only  keep  it  in  the  parlor  for  the  entertainment  of 
visitors  ?  " 

"You  may  laugh  as  much  as  you  like,"  said  Fred j 


GILBERT  GRETSON's   FORTUNES.  139 

''  but  a  hand-organ,  that  is,  a  good  one,  sounds  splen- 
did." 

'•Did  you  ever  see  such  a  barbarian?  Gilbert, 
what  else  do  you  sing?"" 

The  evening  slipped  away  almost  before  they  were 
aware.  To  Gilbert,  it  was  positively  delightful. 
Not  that  he  w^as  in  love  with  Laura,  but,  never  having 
had  a  sister,  it  was  an  agreeable  novelty  to  him  to 
meet  a  young  girl  so  frank  and  attractive  as  Laura. 

"1  hope  you  will  come  again  soon,  Mr.  Greyson," 
said  Mrs.  Vivian,  when  our  hero  rose  to  take  his  leave. 

"  Yes,  do  come,"  said  Laura. 

''I  shall  consider  it  a  privilege  to  call,"  said  Gil- 
bert, with  sincerity. 

''By  the  way,"  said  Mr.  Vivian,  "I  have  taken 
several  tickets  for  a  concert  in  Steinway  Hall  next 
Wednesday  evening.  I  have  a  spare  one  for  you,  Mr. 
Greyson,  if  you  have  no  engagement." 

"  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  accept  one,  sir." 

"  Then  come  up  to  dinner  that  evening;  we  dine  at 
six.     We  will  all  ^o  together." 

"Am  I  to  go?  "  asked  Fred. 


140  SHIFTING    FOR    HIMSELF;    OR^ 

**  There  will  be  a  ticket  for  you,  if  you  would  like 
to  go,  though  I  am  afraid  you  won't  enjoy  the  classi- 
cal music  you  will  hear." 

''No  matter,"  said  Fred,  'Til  go,  though  I'd 
rather  go  to  a  circus." 

'■'■  If  there  were  only  a  hand-organ,  Fred  would 
enjoy  it,"   suggested  Laura. 

''  Well,  Gilbert,  what  sort  of  a  time  did  you  have?  " 
asked  Mr.  In^alls.  when  his  room-mate  returned. 

''  Delightful !  I  am  going  to  dine  there  next 
Wednesday." 

''  It  seems  to  me  you  are  making  a  favorable 
impression  in  that  quarter." 

"I  hope  so." 

A  knock  was  heard  at  the  door. 

''  Come  in,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls. 

Mr.  Alphonso  Jones  opened  the  door  and  entered. 

"  Excuse  my  late  intrusion,  gents,"  he  said. 
''  And  how  did  you  find  the  Vivians,  Mr.  Greyson?  " 

"  Very  well,  thank  you," 

"  They  are  very  high-toned  people." 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  141 

"  I  presume  so,  but  I  am  not  much  of  a  judge," 
said  Gilbert. 

"Probably,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls,  '' jou  do  not  know 
as  many  of  that  class  as  Mr.  Jones.  Did  you  find 
the  Montmorencys  well,  Mr.  Jones?" 

"  Quite  so,  thank  you.  Mrs.  Montmorency  has 
had  a  bad  cold;  but  she  has  quite  recovered  now. 
They  talk  of  going  to  Europe  next  summer." 

"  Do  they,  indeed?     How  you  will  miss  them  !  " 

"  To  be  sure.  However,  I  have  many  other  friends 
m  the  first  circles  whom  I  can  visit.  I  suppose, 
Mr.  Greyson,  the  Vivians  have  a  fine  house  ?  " 

"  It  seems  very  comfortable." 

"The  Montmorencys  live  in  a  perfect  palace.  I 
wish  you  could  see  it." 

"  I  wish  I  could,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls ; 
"but  you  wouldn't  take  me,  you  know." 

"I  couldn't,  Mr.  Ingalls,  as  I  explained  to  you. 
They  are  so  very  exclusive." 

"I  wonder  visiting  such  fine  houses  doesn't  make 
you  dissatisfied  with  your  own  home." 

"Oh,  my  tastes  are  very  plain,"  said  Alphonso. 


142  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   Oil, 

**  *  Mid  pleasures  and  palaces  though  I  may  roam, 
Be  it  ever  so  humble,  there's  no  place  like  home.' " 

"Some  of  jour  own  poetrj,  Mr.  Jones?"  asked 
Mr.  Ingalls,  demurelj. 

''  No,  it's  Shakespeare  or  Byron,"  answered  Jones; 
''  I  forget  which.     Good-evening,  gents." 

'' Would  jou  like  to  know  where  Mr.  Jones  spent 
the  evening,  Gilbert  ?  "  asked  his  room-mate. 

"  On  Fifth  Avenue  ?  " 

"  No.  Mr.  Tarbox  followed  him,  and  saw  him 
enter  a  billiard-saloon  on  the  Bowery.  Jones  is  a 
first-class  humbug." 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  143 


CHAPTER  XV. 

AT  STEINWAT   HALL. 

Simon  Moore,  the  book-keeper  in  the  broker^s 
office  where  Gilbert  was  emplojed,  was  a  young  man, 
somewhat  under  thirty.  He  understood  his  business 
very  well,  and  thus  far  had  given  satisfaction  to  Mr. 
Sands.  Personally,  however,  he  was  not  agreeable. 
He  was  irritable  and  exacting,  and  had  not  been  liked 
even  by  his  cousin  John,  when  the  latter  was  office 
boy.  Now,  however,  that  John  had  been  discharged, 
the  book-keeper,  as  we  have  seen,  made  common  cause 
with  him,  and  John  came  to  look  upon  him  as  a 
friend. 

In  this  Moore  was  not  altogether  disinterested. 
John's  mother,  who  was  his  aunt,  kept  a  boarding- 
house,  and  found  it  difficult  to  meet  her  expenses. 
John's  wages,  though  small,  were  important  to  her, 
and  now  that  she  was  deprived  of  this  resource,  her 


144  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OE^ 

nephew  feared  that  he  might  be  called  on  for  assist- 
ance. It  was  in  order  to  save  his  own  purse  that  he 
desired  to  reinstate  John  in  his  old  place.  The 
readiest  method  that  occurred  to  him  was  to  prej- 
udice Mr.  Sands  against  Gilbert. 

"Are  jou  going  out  this  evening,  cousin  Simon?" 
asked  John,  one  evening. 

"  I  may  go  out  by  and  bj." 

"  May  I  go  with  you  ?  " 

''  If  you  want  to." 

Simon  Moore  was  not  always  willing  to  be  troubled 
with  his  cousin,  but  this  evening  he  chanced  to  be  in 
a  pleasanter  humor  than  usual. 

"  I  have  tickets  to  a  concert,  John,"  he  said. 
"Would  you  like  to  go?  " 

''Very  much,"  answered  John,  readily. 

"  The  tickets  were  given  me  by  a  friend  of  mine, 
who  is  on  the  '  Times,'  "  explained  Moore. 

''Where  is  the  concert,  cousin  Simon?" 

"  At  Steinway  Hall." 

It  was,  in  fact,  the  same  concert  to  which  Gilbert 
was  invited  by  Mr.  Vivian. 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  145 

The  book-keeper  was  not  remarkable  for  his  liberal- 
ity, and  John  had  been  not  a  little  surprised  at 
receiving  the  invitation,  until  he  learned  that  the 
tickets  had  cost  his  cousin  nothing. 

Eight  o'clock  found  them  in  their  seats  at  Steinway 
Hall.  The  concert  did  not  commence  punctually,  and 
they  had  some  time  to  look  about  them. 

"  Do  you  see  any  one  you  know,  cousin  Simon," 
asked  John. 

"Yes,"  said  the  book-keeper,  "I  see  a  particular 
friend  of  yours." 

"  A  particular  friend  of  mine ! "  repeated  John, 
puzzled.     "  Where  ?  " 

"  Five  rows  in  front  of  this.  There,  near  the 
centre  of  the  hall." 

''  I  don't  see  any  body  I  know." 

"It  is  Gilbert  Greyson,  your  successor  in  our 
office.'^ 

"It  is  he,  I  declare.  He  is  talking  to  a  pretty 
girl  beside  him." 

"  That  girl  is  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Vivian,  the 

great  importer." 
10 


146  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  You  don't  say  so.  How  on  earth  did  he  come  to 
know  her?" 

*' I  can't  saj,"  answered  Moore,  coldly.  "He  is 
a  very  forward,  pushing  fellow.    That  may  explain  it." 

•'  I  hate  him,"  said  John. 

"  I  don't  love  him  overmuch  myself,"  said  Moore. 

John  and  his  cousin  were  not  the  only  acquaint- 
ances who  recognized  Gilbert  on  that  evening. 

Randolph  and  his  mother  sat  two  rows  behind  the 
Vivians.  Mr.  Briggs  had  intended  to  come,  but  had 
a  headache.  He  had  suggested  that  the  extra 
ticket  be  sent  to  Gilbert;  but  Mrs.  Briggs  had  de- 
cisively objected. 

"  I  don't  care  about  having  that  boy  seen  with  us 
in  Steinway  Hall,"  she  said. 

"Why  not?"  asked  Mr.  Briggs. 

"I  don't  fancy  him.  Besides,  he  would  be  pre- 
suming on  our  kindness." 

"  I  don't  think  he  is  the  kind  of  boy  to  do  that," 
said  Mr.  Briggs,  who  understood  Gilbert  much  better 
than  his  wife.  "It  is  a  pity  the  ticket  should  not  be 
used." 


GILBERT    GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  147 

"  If  it  were  in  a  different  part  of  the  house,  away 
from  our  seats,  I  should  not  care  particularly,"  said 
Mrs.  Briggs.  "If  he  went  with  us,  he  might  be 
thought  to  be  a  near  relative." 

"I  don't  think  he  would  do  us  any  discredit, 
either  in  appearance  or  in  manners,"  said  her  hus- 
band. 

"You  are  simply  infatuated  with  that  boy,  Mr. 
Briggs.  I  am  sure  Randolph  doesn't  want  his 
company." 

**  No,  I  don't,"  said  Randolph. 

"  Like  mother,  like  son,"  thought  Mr.  Briggs;  but 
for  the  sake  of  peace  he  did  not  think  it  best  to  press 
the  matter. 

Soon  after  Randolph  and  his  mother  took  their 
seats,  the  former  discovered  Gilbert  sitting  nearly  in 
front  of  him. 

"He's  here,  after  all,  mother,"  he  exclaimed,  in  a 
low  voice. 

"  Who  is  here,  Randolph?  " 

"  Gilbert  Grey  son.     Don't  you  see  him  ?  " 

"  He's  with  the  Vivians,   too  I  "    ejaculated  Mrs. 


148  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OR^ 

Briggs,  unpleasantly  surprised.     *'  That  boy  doesn't 
appear  to  have  a  particle  of  shame." 

"He  needn't  be  ashamed  of  his  company.  I  wish 
I  were  in  his  place." 

"  I  don't  mean  that.  He  probably  hinted  to  Mr. 
Vivian  to  take  him,  and  he  couldn't  very  well  refuse." 

"  Very  likely,"  said  Randolph.  "  He's  got  plenty 
of  cheek." 

Both  mother  and  son  could  see  that  Gilbert  and 
Laura  Vivian  were  conversing  pleasantly,  judging 
from  the  smiles  on  the  faces  of  each. 

''Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vivian  are  not  very  wise  in  per- 
mitting such  an  intimacy  between  their  daughter  and 
a  penniless  boy,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  frowning.  "Some 
people  are  very  unwise." 

"  I  dare  say  he  pretends  he  is  rich,  and  boasts  of 
father's  being  his  guardian,"  suggested  Bandolph. 

"  I  dare  say  you  are  correct,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs. 
"If  I  knew  Mrs.  Vivian,  I  would  correct  that  wrong 
impression." 

Here  the  music  commenced,  and  the  two  were  silent. 

Randolph   cared   very  little  for  the  music,  which 


GILBERT   GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  149 

was  too  classical  to  suit  his  taste.  He  did  not  expect 
to  like  it,  but  he  went  because  he  knew  that  the  audi- 
ence would  be  a  fashionable  one,  and  he  liked  to  be 
seen  on  such  occasions.  Gilbert  had  more  musical 
taste,  and  appreciated  the  greater  part  of  what  he  had 
heard. 

When  the  concert  was  over,  he  thanked  Mr.  "Vivian 
cordially  for  the  invitation. 

"  I  have  had  a  very  pleasant  evening,  thanks  to 
you,  sir,"  he  said. 

"  I  am  glad  you  have  enjoyed  it,"  said  ^Ir.  Vivian, 
kindly.     "  Come  and  see  us  soon." 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

Just  after  this  parting,  Gilbert  fell  in  with  Mrs. 
Briggs  and  Randolph. 

''  Good-evening,  Mrs.  Briggs,"  he  said,  politely. 
"  Good-evening,  Randolph.  Where  were  you  sitting? 
I  did  not  see  you." 

''  We  saw  you,"  said  Randolph.  "  You  were 
nearly  in  front  of  us." 

'^  Did  Mr.  Vivian  invite  you  to  come?  "  asked  Mrs. 
Briggs,  coldly. 


150  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

*'Yes,  madam." 

"  You  are  making  the  most  of  your  chance  meeting 
with  them." 

There  was  something  unpleasant  in  her  tone,  and 
Gilbert  detected  it. 

^'  They  have  been  very  kind  and  polite  to  me,"  he 
answered,  in  a  reserved  tone. 

'^  I  would  not  advise  you  to  presume  upon  it  too 
far,"  continued  Mrs.  Briggs. 

"  I  don't  intend  to,  madam,"  said  Gilbert,  stiffly^ 

"I  don't  think  I  have." 

< 

"You  seemed  very  attentive  to  Laura, '^  said  Ran- 
dolph, with  a  characteristic  sneer. 

"  It  was  my  duty  to  be  polite,"  said  Gilbert. 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  the  street,  and  Gil- 
bert said  "  Good-evening." 

Neither  Mrs.  Briggs  nor  Randolph  invited  him  to 
call,  though  the  fact  that  Mr.  Briggs  was  still  his 
guardian  would  have  made  such  an  invitation  only  an 
act  of  ordinary  politeness. 

As  he  made  his  way  toward  Fourth  Avenue,  Gil- 


GILBERT  GREYSON's   FORTUNES,  151 

bei't  brushed  ao;ainst  Simon  Moore  and  John;  but 
having  his  mind  occupied,  he  did  not  notice  them. 

"  There  he  goes  !  "  said  John,  enviously.  "  I  wish 
I  had  as  much  cheek  as  that  fellow  has." 

'^  You've  got  a  fair  amount,  John,"  said  his  cousin, 
drilj. 

"  I  didn't  know  it,"  said  John,  aggrieved. 

''  Never  mind,  John,"  said  the  book-keeper,  with 
unwonted  good-humor.  "  Suppose  we  go  in  some- 
where and  have  oysters.     I  feel  hungry." 

'•So  do  I,"  said  John,  briskly.  ''  I  know  a  bully 
place  near  by." 

''  If  it's  a  good  place,  you  can  lead  me  there. 
While  we  are  discussing  the  oysters,  I  have  a  little 
plan  to  tell  you  about,  that  may  give  you  back  your 
place  at  our  office." 

"  Good  !  "  said  John.  "  You're  a  true  friend, 
cousin  Simon." 

Ten  minutes  later  they  were  sitting  in  a  curtained 
compartment,  in  a  saloon  famous  for  the  excellence  of 
its  oysters. 


152  SHIFTING    FOR   HIMSELF;    OJi^ 

In  the  next  compartment,  two  minutes  previous, 
Mr.  Sands,  the  broker,  had  taken  his  seat  and  given 
his  order ;  but  of  this  neither  John  nor  his  cousin  had 
the  slightest  suspicion. 


GILBERT   GRETSON^S  FORTUNES,  163 


CHAPTER  XVL 

A   PLOT   AGAINST   GILBERT. 

The  next  day  Mr.  Sands  received  an  unexpected 
summons  to  Washington.  A  brother,  who  was  clerk 
in  one  of  the  departments,  was  seriously  ill,  and  he 
was  summoned  to  his  bedside. 

*'How  long  shall  you  be  absent,  sir?"  inquired 
Simon  Moore. 

"I  cannot  say;  it  will  depend  on  howl  find  my 
brother.  Keep  me  apprised  of  what  is  going  on  by 
letter,  and,  if  necessary,  by  telegraph." 

•'Yes,  sir,"  said  Simon,  cheerfully;  ''you  may 
rely  upon  me." 

"Where  is  Gilbert?" 

"  Gone  to  the  post-office." 

"  I  have  sometimes  thought,  Mr.  Moore,  that  you 

were  prejudiced  against  the  boy." 


154  SHIFTING    FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

*'I  was  at  first,  sir,"  said  Moore;  "but  on  the 
■whole  he  seems  faithful,  and  disposed  to  do  his  duty." 

Mr.  Sands  smiled  slightly,  but  this  Mr.  Moore  did 
not  observe. 

''  I  think  well  of  him  myself,"  he  said. 

"If  he  does  well,  he  won't  have  reason  to  complain 
of  me,"  said  the  book-keeper. 

Again  Mr.  Sands  smiled,  but  said  nothing.     Just 

as   he  was   leaving   the   office   for  the   cars,  Gilbert 

returned. 

"I  wish,  Gilbert,  you  would  accompany  me  to  the 

< 
Courtland  Street  Ferry,"   said  his  employer.     I  am 

going  to  Washington  this  afternoon." 

"Indeed,  sir !  " 

"  I  am  summoned  to  my  brother's  sick-bed." 

"  When  did  you  hear  of  his  sickness,  sir?  "  asked 
Gilbert,  in  a  sympathizing  tone. 

"A  week  since;  but  last  evening  I  learned  by  a 
telegram  that  he  is  dangerously  sick." 

By  this  time  they  were  on  their  way  to  the  ferry. 

"You  may  take  my  valise,  Gilbert,"  said  the  bro- 
ker, "  if  you  are  willing." 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S  FORTUNES.  155 

"Certainly,  sir,''  said  Gilbert,  politely.  ''I  hope 
you  will  find  your  brother  better." 

"  I  certainly  hope  so.  He  would  be  a  great  loss  to 
his  family.  By  the  way,  how  are  you  getting  on  with 
Mr.  Moore?-' 

''I  hardly  know,  sir,"  said  Gilbert.  ''I  don't 
think  he  likes  me." 

" Have  you  done  anything  to  offend  him?  " 

''  Not  that  I  am  aware  of.  I  have  always  treated 
him  with  respect." 

"That  is  right.  If  you  get  into  any  trouble  with 
him  while  I  am  away,  come  to  me  after  I  return,  and 
tell  me  all  about  it." 

Gilbert  looked  surprised,  but  of  course  promised  to 
do  so. 

"  I  shall  try  not  to  get  into  any  disturbance,"  he 
said. 

"  I  hope  you  won't,  but  I  fancy  you  will,"  said  his 
employer. 

"I  hope  you  don't  think  I  am  quarrelsome,  Mr. 
Sands." 

"  No,  that  is  not  my  reason.     I  will  say  no  more  at 


156  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    07J, 

present,  except  to  request  you,  if  anything  happens,  to 
give  me  a  truthful  and  detailed  account  of  it  when  I 
return." 

''Thank  you,  sir,  I  will,"  said  Gilbert,  who,  though 
puzzled,  felt  that  his  employer  was  friendly  towards 
liiixi. 

Gilbert  waited  till  the  boat  started,  and  then  re- 
turned to  the  office.  He  regretted  Mr.  Sands'  ab- 
sence, for  something  told  him  that  Mr.  Moore  would 
make  it  very  disagreeable  for  him  while  he  was  gone.^ 
Indeed,  the  book-keeper  w^as  not  long  in  showing  his 
state  of  feeling  towards  our  hero.  As  Gilbert  entered, 
he  looked  up  sharply  from  his  desk. 

"  So  you  are  back  at  last?  "  he  said  unpleasantly. 

"Yes,  sir,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"  I  thought  you  intended  to  remain  away  all  day." 

"  Mr.  Sands  desired  me  to  go  to  the  ferry  with 
him." 

"  He  didn't  desire  you  to  stop  to  play  on  the  way 
home." 

*' Did  you  see  me  playing  on  the  way  home?" 
demanded  Gilbert,  provoked. 


GILBERT  GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  157 

"  How  could  I  when  I  was  at  work  in  the  office  ?  " 

"Has  an  J  one  reported  to  you  that  I  stopped  to 
play?" 

"No." 

"  Then  why  do  you  charge  me  with  it  ?  " 

"  Look  here,  young  man,  I  advise  you  not  to  try 
any  of  your  impudence  on  me !  "  said  Simon  Moore, 
who,  knowing  himself  in  the  wrong,  was  all  the  more 
angry.  "I  tell  you,  once  for  all,  that  I  won't  stand 
it." 

"  I  don't  intend  to  be  impudent,  Mr.  Moore ;  but  I  do 
expect  decent  treatment  from  you." 

"  You  are  showing  your  hand  pretty  quick,  young 
man.  No  sooner  does  Mr.  Sands  leave  the  city  than 
you  begin  to  put  on  your  airs.  I  shall  take  care  to 
report  your  conduct  to  him." 

"I  have  neither  done  nor  said  anything  that  I  am 
ashamed  to  have  re^Dorted  to  him." 

"  Shut  up !  "  said  Moore,  sharply. 

Gilbert  saw  that  there  was  no  use  in  prolonging  the 
dispute,  and  quietly  went  about  his  duties.  While  he 
was  absent  on  an  errand,  a  little  later,  his  predecessor, 


158  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oil, 

John,  looked  in  the  door,  and,  seeing  his  cousin  alone, 
entered.  , 

''  Good-morning,  cousin  Simon,"  he  said.  ''  Where 
is  Mr.  Sands?" 

*'  Gone  to  Washington." 

"■  He  has  ?     How  long  will  he  be  gone  ?" 

"  A  week  perhaps." 

John's  ejes  sparkled. 

"  That's  favorable  for  us,  isn't  it?  "  he  said. 

Simon  Moore  nodded  significantly. 

''You  are  right  there,"  he  said.  "When  he  gets 
back,  Gilbert  Grey  son  won't  be  here." 

"  You'll  do  what  we  were  talking  about  last  even- 
ing ? "  • 

"  Yes,  I  shall  have  plenty  of  chances  while  Sands  is 
away." 

"  Can't  you  manage  it  to-day?  " 

"  No,  it  would  look  suspicious;  I  don't  want  Mr. 
Sands  to  suspect  anything." 

''  How  soon,  then?" 

"  Say  day  after  to-morrow.  In  order  to  avert  sus- 
picion, I  will  in  my  letter  of  to-morrow  speak  a  good 


GILBERT  OREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  15^ 

word  for  Gilbert,  — saj  he's  doing  better  than  I  antici- 
pated, or  something  of  that  sort.  The  next  day  the 
explosion  will  come." 

•'  You'll  bounce  Gilbert  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I'll  take  that  upon  myself,  and  explain  to 
Sands  when  he  returns.  Ten  to  one  he  won't  inter- 
fere then." 

''  And  you'll  take  me  in  Gilbert's  place? " 

''Yes,  I'll  do  that,  too.  But  you  must  do  better 
than  you  did  last  time.  The  fact  is,  John,  you  were 
lazy  and  careless.  I  was  sorry  to  have  you  go,  as 
you  are  my  cousin ;  but  I  couldn't  blame  Mr.  Sands 
much." 

"  Oh,  I'll  turn  over  a  new  leaf,  cousin  Simon,"  said 
John,  readily.  "  You  shan't  have  anything  to  com- 
plain of." 

"  I  hope  not." 

Here  Gilbert  returned  from  his  errand,  and  the  con- 
versation necessarily  closed. 

Gilbert  nodded  politely  to  John,  though  he  took  no 
particular  fancy  to  him. 

"  So  the  boss  is  away  ?  "  said  John,  sociably. 


160  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

*'  Yes,  he  has  been  called  away." 

''  I  suppose  jou  are  glad  of  it?  " 

''Why  should  I  be?" 

"  When  the  cat's  away,  the  mice  can  play,  you 
know." 

"  This  mouse  does  not  care  about  playing,"  saic? 
Gilbert,  smiling. 

"  Gilbert  is  a  model  boy,"  said  Simon  Moore,  with 
a  sneer. 

*'  I  never  set  up  for  one,"  said  John,  in  a  tone  of 
congratulation. 

"  I  should  say  not,"  sneered  the  l)Ook-keeper,  who 
could  not  abstain  from  criticising  even  his  cousin,  in 
whose  favor  he  was  intriguing  to  oust  Gilbert  from  his 
position.  ''However,  I'll  say  this  for  you,  that  you 
are  not  a  hypocrite." 

"  And  I  never  want  to  be,"  said  John,  virtuously. 

Of  course  Gilbert  understood  that  here  was  another 
hit  at  him  ;  but  he  was  discreet  enough  to  understand 
that  it  would  do  him  no  good  to  notice  it. 

Presently  John  turned  to  go. 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  161 

*'  Is  there  anything  I  can  do  for  you,  cousin 
Simon?  "  he  asked. 

"Not  to-day,"  answered  the  book-keeper,  signifi- 
cantly. ''  You  can  look  round  again  in  a  day  or 
two." 

''  All  right." 

As  John  left  the  office,  a  small  boot-black  ap- 
proached him. 

"  Shine  yer  boots?  "  he  asked. 

"  Get  out  of  my  way  !  "  said  John,  crossly,  at  the 
same  time  lifting  his  foot  and  kicking  the  boy. 

"  What  did  you  do  thatfor  ?  "  said  the  boy,  angrily. 

"  Because  I  pleased." 

''Then  take  that;"  and  the  knight  of  the  brush 
swiftly  touched  John's  cheek  with  the  dirty  brush, 
leaving  a  black  mark  upon  his  assailant's  cheek. 

John  would  have  renewed  the  attack,  but  a  chorus 
of  laughter  at  his  appearance  drove  him  back  into  the 
office  to  wash  off  the  black  mark. 

"I'll  wring  his  neck  when  I  get  a  chance,"  mut- 
tered John,  angrily. 
11 


162  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;   Oli, 

''  He  wouldn't  have  touched  you,  if  you  had  let  him 
alone, '^  said  Gilbert.     "  Why  did  you  kick  him?  " 

"  Because  I  pleased.  Mind  your  business,  or  I 
may  kick  you,  too." 

"You'd  better  not,"  said  Gilbert,  quietly. 


GU.BERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  163 


CHAPTER  XVn. 


THE    PLOT    SUCCEEDS. 


The  third  day  was  rainj,  and  Gilbert  wore  a  thin 
overcoat,  which,  on  arriving  at  the  office,  he  took  off 
and  hung  up.  At  ten  o'clock  the  rain  ceased,  and  he 
did  not  feel  the  need  of  wearing  it  when  sent  out  on 
errands. 

About  eleven  o'clock  John  sauntered  into  the 
office. 

''You  may  go  round  to  the  post-office,  Gilbert," 
said  the  book-keeper. 

"  Very  well,  sir." 

Gilbert  put  on  his  coat  and  went  out. 

"Isn't  it  about  time,  cousin  Simon?  "  asked  John, 
significantly. 

"  Yes,"  said  Moore. 

"  How  shall  we  manage  ?  " 


164  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OJi^ 

The  book-keeper  took  from  his  pocket  a  ten-dollar 
bill,  and  handed  it  to  John. 

''  That  is  Gilbert's  coat,"  he  said.  "  Put  this  bill 
into  one  of  the  pockets." 

John  obeyed. 

''  I  guess  that  will  fix  him,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of 
satisfaction. 

"  I"  11  manage  the  rest,"  said  the  book-keeper.. 
^'  Stay  round  here  till  Gilbert  gets  back,  and  we'll 
bring  matters  to  a  crisis." 

Just  as  John  was  placing  the  bill  in  Gilbert's  coat- 
pocket,  the  little  boot-black  mentioned  at  the  close  of 
the  last  chapter  thrust  his  head  into  the  doorway. 

"  Shine  yer  boots? "  he  asked. 

''  Clear  out,  you  vagabond  !  "  said  the  book-keeper, 
irritably. 

Tom,  for  that  was  his  name,  looked  inquisitively 
about  him  and  retired.  He  saw  that  there  was  no 
chance  for  business.  He  recognized  John  as  the  one 
who  had  kicked  him  the  day  before. 

"  I  wonder  what  he  was  putting  into  the  coat,"  he 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  165 

thought ;  but  dismissed  the  thought  as  not  concerning 
him  till  afterwards. 

•'  Did  he  notice  what  1  was  doing?  "  thought  John, 
with  momentary  uneasiness.  "  But,  of  course,  he 
wouldn't  understand,"  he  felt,  with  quick  relief 

A  few  minutes  elapsed,  and  Gilbert  returned,  bring- 
ing home  the  mail. 

"  All  right !  "  said  Moore,  '^  wait  a  minute,  and  I 
shall  want  to  send  jou  out  again." 

"  Oh,  bj  the  way,  Gilbert,"  he  said,  after  a  mo- 
ment's pause,  "  have  you  seen  anything  of  a  ten-dol- 
lar bill  ?  —  I  laid  one  on  the  desk  an  hour  ago,  and 
now  it  has  disappeared. 

"I  haven't  seen  it,  sir." 

*' Won't  you  look  on  the  floor?  It  may  have 
dropped." 

Gilbert  searched,  but  of  course  unsuccessfully. 

"That  is  strange,"  said  the  book-keeper.  ''I  re- 
member distinctly  placing  the  bill  on  the  desk ;  have 
you  seen  it,  John?  " 

"  No,  cousin  Simon." 

*'  It  is  very  mysterious,"  mused  the  book-keeper. 


166  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

"  I  hope  jou  don't  suspect  me  of  taking  it,  cousia 
Simon,"  said  John,  vfho  had  been  instructed  what  to 
saj. 

''Of  course  not." 

John  began  to  turn  his  pockets  inside  out. 

''I  want  jou  to  search  me,"  he  said;  '' if  jou 
don't,  JOU  may  think  I  took  it,  after  all." 

''  I  never  thought  of  such  a  thing,  John,"  said 
Simon  Moore. 

"I  am  sure  Gilbert  and  I  would  prefer  to  be 
searched,"  persisted  John,  looking  towards  Gilbert  as 
he  spoke. 

Gilbert  colored,  for  it  was  not  agreeable  to  him  to 
fall  under  suspicion,  but  he  answered  quietlj,  "  I  am 
quite  ready  to  be  searched." 

''I  don't  think  it  at  all  necessary,"  said  Simon 
Moore;  "  but  if  you  boys  insist  upon  it,  I  will  do  it. 
It  is  certainly  strange  that  the  bill  should  have  disap- 
peared, and  left  no  trace  behind.  Gilbert,  will  you 
search  John,  and  then  he  shall  search  you." 

"  If  you  desire  it,  Mr.  Moore,"  said  Gilbert;  ''but 


GILBERT  GRETi^ON's   FORTUNES.  167 

I  don't  believe  John  took  the  bill,  and  I  am  sure  I 
didn't." 

Gilbert  prjceeded  to  search  John,  the  latter  assist- 
ing him.  A  jack-knife,  a  couple  of  keys,  a  handker- 
chief, and  twentj-five  cents  in  money  were  all  that  he 
found. 

^Tm  not  very  rich,"  said  John,  smiling.  "I  don't 
mind  saying  that  the  ten  dollars  would  be  very  accept- 
able, but  I  haven't  got  it ;  are  you  satisfied  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Gilbert,  ''  you  haven't  got  it,  and  I 
didn't  think  you  had;  you  may  search  me  now." 

John  conducted  the  search  carelessly,  for  he  knew, 
beforehand,  what  the  result  would  be. 

"I  don't  find  it,"  he  said.  "Where  can  the  bill 
be?  Are  you  sure  you  didn't  put  it  back  into 
your  own  pocket,  cousin  Simon  ?  " 

"  Quite  sure.  By  the  way,  Gilbert,  didn't  you 
wear  an  overcoat  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir;  there  it  is,  hanging  up." 

*' John,  you  had  better  examine  that  also,  that  the 
search  may  be  thorough." 


168  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

"  Certainly,"  said  Gilbert,  little  dreaming  of  what 
was  in  store  for  him. 

John  plunged  his  hand  into  one  pocket  and  found 
nothing ;  then  into  the  other,  and  drew  out  the  ten- 
dollar  bill. 

"  AYhat's  this?"  he  asked,  pretending  to  be  sur- 
prised. 

"  Let  me  see  it,"  said  Gilbert,  overcome  with  sur- 
prise. 

''  Let  me  see  it,"  said  Simon  Moore,  sharply. 

"  It's  a  ten-dollar  bill,"  said  John,  looking  at  it 
more  closely. 

"It's  the  note  I  missed,"  said  the  book-keeper, 
taking  it  into  his  hands.  "  What  have  you  to  say  to 
this,  Greyson  ?  "  he  demanded,  sternly.    ■ 

"  I  have  this  to  say,"  said  Gilbert,  a  little  pale,  as 
was  natural,  "that  I  don't  know  anything  about  that 
bill,  or  how  it  came  in  my  coat-pocket." 

"  I  suppose  -not,"  sneered  the  book-keeper. 

"I  am  willing  to  swear  to  it,"  said  Gilbert,  recov- 
ering his  firmness. 


GILBERT   GREYSON  S  FORTUNES.  1  C9 

"  A  boy  that  steals  money  cannot  expect  to  be 
believed,  even  upon  oath,"  said  the  book-keeper. 

"  Do  you  believe  I  took  that  money,  John?  "  asked 
Gilbert. 

"You  miistn't  ask  me,"  said  John.  "I  didn't 
think  you'd  do  such  a  thing,  Gilbert,  but  it  looks 
mighty  suspicious." 

"  I  never  stole  a  penny  in  my  life,"  said  Gilbeii;, 
hotly. 

"Do  you  claim  this  money  as  yours?"  asked  the 
book-keeper. 

"No,  I  don't." 

"Then  how  came  it  in  your  pocket?  It  couldn't 
have  got  there  without  hands." 

A  light  dawned  upon  Gilbert's  mind ;  a  suspicion 
of  the  truth  flashed  upon  him. 

"It  is  true,"  he  said,  significantly.  "Somebody 
must  have  put  it  into  my  pocket." 

"  And  that  somebody  was  yourself,"  said  Moore, 
sharply. 

"Of  course  it  was,"  chimed  in  John. 


170  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

Gilbert  looked  slowly  from  one  to  the  other.  There 
was  something  in  their  faces  that  revealed  all  to  him. 

''  I  think  I  understand,"  he  said.  "  You  two  have 
formed  a  conspiracy  to  ruin  me.     I  see  it  now." 

"  If  jou  speak  in  that  way  again,"  said  Moore,  in  a 
rage,  ''  I  will  kick  you  out  of  the  office." 

"  I  should  like  to  have  you  refer  the  matter  to  Mr. 
Sands,"  said  Gilbert,  betraying  no  alarm.  "He  will 
do  me  justice." 

"  I  ought  to  refer  the  matter  to  the  nearest  police- 
man," said  the  book-keeper,  in  a  menacing  tone. 

"  Do  so,  if  you  like,"  said  Gilbert,  though  he 
shrank  with  natural  reluctance  from  being  arrested, 
innocent  as  he  knew  himself  to  be.  "I  am  not  with- 
out powerful  friends,  as  you  w^ill  find." 

"  Don't  have  him  arrested,  cousin  Simon,"  said 
John,  with  apparent  compassion.  "  He  has  given  up 
the  money.     Discharge  him,  and  let  him  go." 

This  was  what  Simon  Moore  had  already  deter- 
mined to  do.  He  knew  very  well  that  in  any  legal 
investigation  John  and  he  would  incur  suspicion,  and 


GILBERT  GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  171 

for  prudential  reasons  he  preferred  not  to  court  any 
such  publicity. 

"  I  ought  to  arrest  you,"  he  said,  turning  to  Gilbert ; 
''but  I  will  have  pity  on  your  youth,  hoping  that  this 
will  be  your  last  offence.  I  shall,  of  course,  discharge 
you,  since  I  should  not  be  justified  in  retaining  you 
under  the  circumstances.  I  will  report  to  Mr.  Sands 
why  1  was  compelled  to  dispense  with  your  services. 
1  will  pay  you  your  wages  up  to  to-day,  and  you  need 
not  come  here  again." 

"Don't  trouble  yourself  about  that,  Mr.  Moore," 
said  Gilbert,  with  dignity.  *'!  shall  report  to  Mr. 
Sands  when  he  returns,  and  abide  by  his  judgment." 

''  You  had  better  not,"  said  Moore.  "I  advise  you 
for  your  own  good.  Mr.  Sands  will  still  have  it  in  his 
power  to  arrest  you ;  your  best  course  will  be  to  leave 
the  city,  and  go  to  some  place  where  you  are  not 
known." 

''  I  shall  remain  in  the  city,  and  can  be  found,  if 
wanted,"  said  Gilbert,  boldly.  "  The  day  will  come, 
Mr.  Moore,  when  my  innocence  will  be  known  by  all." 

Moore  shrugged  his  shouldera. 


172  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

"  I  have  heard  such  things  before,"  he  said.  "  You 
can  go.  John,  I  will  employ  jou,  temporarily,  in 
Gilbert's  place." 

"  I  understand  your  object  now,  Mr.  Moore,"  said 
Gilbert,  looking  significantly  at  John. 

"  Begone,  or  1  will  yet  have  you  arrested,"  said  the 
book-keeper,  angrily. 

Gilbert  put  on  his  coat  and  hat,  and  walked  ou\  of 
the  office. 


GILBERT  GEEYSON'S   FORTUNES,  173 


CHAPTER  XVni. 


AN   HUMBLE   FRIEND. 


Just  outside  the  office  from  which  he  had  been  dis- 
charged, Gilbert  was  accosted  by  Tom,  tlie  boot-black. 

''  Shine  jer  boots?  " 

Gilbert  shook  his  head. 

"  Only  five  cents,  mister,  — that's  half  price." 

"  That's  cheap  enough,"  said  Gilbert;  "  but  I've  just 
lost  my  place,  and  I  cannot  afford  to  pay  even  that." 

"  Been  bounced?  "  asked  Tom. 

''Yes." 

''What  for?" 

Gilbert  hesitated.  He  did  not  like  to  admit  that  he 
had  been  suspected  of  dishonesty  ;  still  he  was  innocent, 
and  had  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of  in  the  matter.  He 
accordingly  related  what  had  happened. 

Tom  whistled. 


174  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OJi^ 

'^  Did  you  saj  the  money  was  found  in  your 
pocket?"  he  asked. 

''  In  the  pocket  of  my  overcoatj"  he  replied. 

'^And  was  your  coat  hanging  up?" 

''Yes." 

"  Then  I  know  how  the  money  got  there." 

''  You  know  how  the  money  got  into  my  pocket !  " 
repeated  Gilbert,  in  surprise. 

"Yes,  the  other  boy  put  it  there." 

"  What  other  boy,  — the  boy  that's  in  the  office  ?"" 

''  Yes,  his  name  is  John." 

*'  How  did  you  happen  to  see  him  do  it?  "  asked 
Gilbert,  eagerly. 

"  I  went  to  the  door  to  see  if  the  book-keeper  didn't 
want  a  shine;  just  as  I  was  looking  in,  I  see  that 
boy  John  go  to  a  coat,  and  put  a  bill  into  the 
pocket.  I  thought  it  was  his  coat,  and  wondered 
what  made  him  keep  his  money  loose  in  that  way.  Did 
he  say  you  put  it  there  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

''He  wanted  you  bounced — that's  what's  the 
matter." 


GILBERT  GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  175 

"You  are  right;  he  wanted  the  place  himself,  and 
now  he's  got  it' 

''Just  you  go  back  and  tell  the  book-keeper  all 
about  it,  and  I'll  stand  by  you,"  suggested  Tom. 

Gilbert  shook  his  head. 

'It  wont  do,"  he  said.  "John  is  Mr.  Moore's 
cousin,  and  I  feel  sure  they  are  both  in  the  plot; 
they  would  say  you  were  lying." 

"Let'em  say  it,"  said  Tom.  "I'll  punch  their 
heads  if  they  do." 

Gilbert  smiled  at  the  zeal  of  his  humble  fi'iend.  "  I 
am  afraid  that  would  do  neither  of  us  any  good,"  he 
said. 

"  Won't  you  do  nothin',  then  ?  "  asked  Tom,  disap- 
pointed.    "Will  you  stay  bounced?  " 

"  Yes,  till  Mr.  Sands  comes  back." 

"  Is  he  the  boss  ?  " 

"Yes;  he  is  now  in  Washington,  and  may  not  re- 
turn for  several  days.  When  he  comes  back,  I  shall 
want  you  to  tell  him  all  you  saw." 

"  111  do  it,"  said  Tom. 


176  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  What  is  your  name  ?  Where  can  I  find  you  if  I 
want  you?" 

*'  I  hang  out  at  the  Newsboys'  Lodge.  My  name 
is  Tom  Connor." 

''Thank  you,  Tom;  I'm  very  glad  I  met  you. 
Your  testimony  will  be  valuable  to  me.  Don't  say 
anything  about  it  to  anybody  else  at  present.  I  want 
to  surprise  them.^' 

''All  right." 

"  I  think  I  will  have  a  shine,  after  all,"  said  Gilbert, 
wishing  to  repay  his  new  friend  by  a  little  patronage. 

"  I'll  make  your  boots  shine  so  you  can  see  your 
face  in  'em,"  said  Tom,  dropping  on  his  knees,  and 
proceeding  to  his  task  energetically. 

"  That  will  save  me  the  expense  of  a  looking-glass," 
said  Gilbert. 

"  So  it  will,"  said  Tom. 

When  the  last  was  completed,  Gilbert  drew  ten 
cents  from  his  pocket,  and  extended  it  towards  Tom, 
but  to  his  surprise  the  bootblack  did  not  offer  to 
take  it. 

" Never  mind,"  said  he,  "I  don't  want  no  pay.'^ 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  Ill 

"Why  not?  You  have  earned  it,"  said  Gilbert, 
wondering  at  the  refusal. 

''  You're  bounced,  and  aint  got  no  money  to  spare. 
I'll  wait  till  you've  got  your  place  again." 

*•  You  are  very  kind,"  said  Gilbert,  grateful  for  the 
considerate  sympathy  of  his  humble  present ;  "  but  I 
am  not  so  badly  off  as  some,  for  I  have  no  board  to 
pay.     You'd  better  take  the  money." 

'Til  take  five  cents,"  said  Tom;  ''that'll  be 
enough.  I'd  rather  work  for  you  for  nothin'  than  for 
that  other  feller  for  full  price." 

"You  don't  like  him,  then?  Did  he  ever  employ 
you?" 

"He  kicked  me  yesterday;  but  I  got  even  with 
him,"  he  added,  in  a  tone  of  satisfaction. 

"  How  did  you  get  even  with  him  ?  " 

"I  blacked  his  face  for  him,"  said  Tom,  brandish- 
ing the  brush. 

Gilbert  laughed. 

"  He  didn't  fancy  that,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  He  had  to  go  back  and  wash  his  face,"  said  Tom, 

laughing  at  the  recollection. 
12 


178  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR. 

"Well,  Tom,  good-bj,"  said  Gilbert,  preparing  to 
go.     ''  I'll  hunt  you  up  when  Mr.  Sands  gets  back." 

"You'll  find  me  round  here  somewheres;  this  is 
where  I  stand." 

Gilbert  walked  away,  feeling  considerably  more 
cheerful  and  hopeful  than  before  his  interview  with 
Tom.  Now  he  felt  that  he  had  at  hand  the  means  of 
his  vindication,  and  his  idleness  would  only  be  tempo- 
rary. He  was  shocked  at  the  meanness  and  wickedness 
of  John  and  the  book-keeper  in  forming  such  a  con- 
spiracy against  him.  He  was  already  learning  the 
lesson  of  distrust,  and  that  is  never  a  pleasant  lesson 
for  any  of  us.  Fortunately,  we  need  not  distrust 
everybody.  He  must  be  indeed  unfortunate  who  does 
not  find  some  true  friends  to  keep  up  his  faith  in 
humanity.  Our  hero  had  found  one,  who,  though  but 
I  boot-black,  was  likely  to  be  of  essential  service  to 
^im. 

It  is  said  that  ill  news  travels  fast.  That  very 
evening  Mrs.  Briggs  learned  that  Gilbert  had  lost  his 
situation,  and  from  what  cause.  It  happened  in  this 
way. 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  179 

Randolph,  chancing  to  be  down-town,  it  occurred  to 
him  to  call  upon  Gilbert.  His  call  was  made  about 
half  an  hour  after  Gilbert  had  been  discharo;ed. 

He  entered  the  oflSce,  and,  looking  about,  saw  John, 
who  appeared  to  be  employed.  He  asked,  in  some 
surprise,  "  Does  not  Gilbert  Grejson  work  here?  " 

''No,"  answered  John  promptly,  "not  now." 

"How  is  that?" 

"  He  was  discharged  this  morning.  Can  I  do  any- 
thing for  you?" 

"Discharged!"  exclaimed  Randolph,  much  sur- 
prised,    "What  was  he  discharged  for?" 

Here  Simon  Moore  took  part  in  the  conversation. 

"  Are  you  a  friend  of  Gilbert  Grey  son  ? "  he 
asked. 

"  Ye-es,"  answered  Randolph,  in  a  tone  of  hesita- 
tion.    "  That  is,  he's  an  acquaintance  of  mine." 

"If  you  feel  interested  in  him,  I  have  unpleasant 
news  for  you."  • 

Randolph  pricked  up  his  ears. 

"  What  has  happened  ?  "  he  inquired. 


180  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    OE, 

*'  To  be  brief,  I  am  afraid  your  friend  is  not  strictly 
honest." 

''You  don't  say  so !  "  exclaimed  Randolph,  really 
amazed.  "He  hasn't  run  off  with  any  money,  has 
he?" 

"  He  isn't  very  much  interested  in  him,"  the  book- 
keeper said  to  himself  shrewdly.  "  He  doesn't  say 
anything  in  his  defence." 

"  No ;  but  I  am  afraid  he  would  if  the  theft  had  not 
been  detected  so  soon." 

"  What  was  it,  —  money  ?  " 

"A  ten-dollar  bill,  which  1  laid  casually  on  the 
desk,  suddenly  disappeared.  It  was  found,  after  a 
little  search,  in  the  pocket  of  your  friend's  coat." 

"  He  isn't  my  friend ;  he  is  only  an  acquaintance," 
said  Randolph.  "  I  don't  know  much  about  him.  I 
didn't  think  he'd  steal,  though.     Did  he  own  up?  " 

"  Not  he ;  he  was  too  brazen.  Mr.  Sands  was 
absent  from  the  city,  but  I  did  not  hesitate  to  dis- 
charge him  at  once.  In  our  business  a  boy  must 
often  be  trusted  with  sums  of  value,  and  I  should  not 
feel  safe  in  continuing  to  employ  him." 


'  I 


GlLIJEUT    ACCnSEl)    OF    STEALING. 


GILBERT  GRETSON*S   FORTUNES.  181 

*'I   suppose   you're   right,"    said   Randolph.     *'I 
wonder  what  father'll  say." 

''Well,  I  guess  I'll  be  going,"  he  continued.     *'I 
didn't  expect  to  hear  such  news  of  Gilbert." 

"We  regixt  it  very  much,"  said  the  book-keeper, 
hypocritically. 

''Of  course,"  said  Randolph.  "  Serves  him  right, 
He  shouldn't  have  made  such  a  fool  of  himself." 

"  That  fellow  don't  care  much  about  Gilbert,  John," 
said  Simon  Moore,  after  Randolph's  departure. 

"  That's  so,"  said  John. 

"If  he  has  no  warmer  friends  than  that,  we  shan't 
have  any  applications  to  take  him  back." 

"  I  hope  not,"  said  John.  "  What  do  you  think 
Mr.  Sands  will  say  when  he  finds  me  here  ?  " 

"  If  I  tell  him  you  have  done  year  duty,  and  done 
all  I  required,  he'll  probably  keep  you.  You  must 
do  better  than  you  did  last  time.  No  fooling  away 
your  time  in  the  streets  when  you  are  sent  on  an 
errand.     It  won't  do." 

'  "  There  won't  be  any  trouble  about  me,"  said  John, 
confidently. 


182  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OR^ 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

A    DOMESTIC    DISCUSSION. 

Randolph  hurried  home  to  tell  his  mother  what 
he  had  heard  about  Gilbert's  loss  of  employment. 
He  knew  well  enough  her  feeling  towards  his  father's 
ward  to  feel  sure  that  it  would  be  welcome  intelli- 
gence. 

*'  Detected  in  stealing  money !  "  ejaculated  Mrs. 
BriggSj  triumphantly.  ''  Just  what  I  predicted  all 
along.     I  am  not  often  deceived  about  character." 

*'  I  never  heard  you  predict  it,  mother,"  said  Ran- 
dolph. 

"  It  was  only  because  I  did  not  like  to  speak 
against  the  boy,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  only  slightly  dis- 
comfited. "  I  read  it  in  his  face  the  first  day  he 
came  here.     I  saw  he  was  sly  and  underhanded." 

''Well,  I  didn't,"  said  Randolph,  who  was  less 
malignant  than   his  mother.     ''  I  never  thought  he 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S  FORTUNES.  183 

would  do  such  a  thing.  I  didn't  like  him,  of  course, 
but  still  I  thought  he  was  honest." 

"I  have  lived  longer  in  the  world  than  you,  Ran- 
dolph," said  Mrs.  Briggs,  sagaciously,  ''  and  I  know 
that  appearances  are  deceitful.  I  am  not  so  easily 
taken  in.  as  your  father.  He  has  been  infatuated 
about  this  disreputable  boy.  I  hope  the  knowledge  of 
the  boy's  baseness  will  cure  him." 

^'  I  suppose  we  needn't  invite  Gilbert  to  my  party, 
now?  " 

"  No,  of  course  not,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  with 
emphasis.  ''  It  would  be  an  insult  to  you  to  invite  a 
boy  convicted  of  theft." 

*'  Father  may  insist  upon  it,"  said  Randolph. 

''Not  unless  he  is  bereft  of  liis  senses,"  said  Mrs. 
Briggs.  "  He  has  made  a  point  of  it  till  now  ;  but, 
of  course,  this  will  change  his  wishes." 

Randolph  did  not  reply;  but,  notwithstanding  his 
mother's  assurance,  he  felt  some  doubts  on  the  sub- 
ject. His  father  was,  in  general,  yielding  and  easily 
managed ;  but,  as  is  often  the  case  with  such  men,  he 
was,  at  times,  unexpectedly  firm. 


184  sniFTiNO  FOR  himself;  or 

This  conversation  took  place  just  before  dinner.  It 
was  interrupted  bj  the  arrival  of  IMr.  Briggs,  who 
went  upstairs  at  once  to  prepare  for  dinner.  Fifteen 
minutes  later  they  met  around  the  dinner-table.  Bj 
arrangement  with  Randolph,  Mrs.  Briggs  had  re- 
served to  herself  the  pleasure  of  imparting  to  her 
husband  the  news  she  had  heard. 

"I  have  heard  some  news  to-daj,  Mr.  Briggs,"  she 
commenced,  in  a  premonitory  tone. 

"Indeed,  my  dear!     Pleasant  news,  I  hope." 

"  I  don't  think  it  will  be  pleasant  to  you,  though,  I 
must  confess,  it  is  only  what  I  have  all  along  antic- 
ipated." 

"  You  speak  in  enigmas,  Mrs.  Briggs.  Will  you 
kindly  be  a  little  more  explicit  ?  " 

"You  are  aware,  Mr.  Briggs,  that  I  have  always 
had  a  very  unfavorable  opinion  of  your  protege,  the 
Greyson  boy?" 

"  You  certainly  have  not  concealed  your  opinion  of 
him,"  said  her  husband,  shrugging  his  shoulders. 
"  Yes,  I  may  say  that  I  know  your  opinion  of 
him." 


GILBERT  GREY  SON'S  FORTUNES.  185 

"I  suppose  you  call  it  prejudice,"   continued  the 
lady. 

"  Well,  it  certainly  seems  like  it,  not  being  founded 
on  the  knowledge  of  anything  to  his  detriment." 

''■  That  was  not  necessary.  There  is  such  a  thing 
as  reading  character.     I  judged  him  by  his  face." 

*'He  seems  to  me  to  have  a  very  frank,  attractive 
face." 

"  As  you  read  it,"  said  his  wife,  contemptuously. 
"  Well,  this  paragon  of  yours  has  lost  his  place." 

*'He  has? "  inquired  Mr.  Briggs,  in  evident  sur- 
prise. 

''  Yes,  he  has,  and  I  am  not  surprised  to  hear  it." 

"  Do  you  know  why  he  was  discharged  ?  " 

''  He  was  detected  in  theft  —  stealing  a  large  sum 
of  money !  "  answered  Mrs.  Briggs,  triumphantly. 

She  expected  that  her  husband  would  be  over- 
whelmed at  this  disclosure;  but  he  asked  quite 
calmly,  "How  do  you  know  this?  Who  is  your 
informant  ?  " 

"Kandolph." 


186         SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

*'  What  do  jou  know  of  this,  Randolph"  asked  hia 
father. 

Randolph  gave  his  father  an  accovmt  of  his  visit  to 
the  oflSce  of  Mr.  Sands,  and  the  information  given 
him  there. 

''What  do  you  say  to  that?"  demanded  Mrs. 
Briggs,  in  exultation.  "Does  that  change  your 
opinion  of  your  paragon  ?  " 

"  I  think  there  is  some  mistake  somewhere,"  said 
Mr.  Briggs. 

"  Why  should  there  be  any  mistake?  "  she  asked. 
"  Do  you  think  Randolph  would  tell  a  lie  ?  " 

"  There  are  other  wavs  of  accountins^  for  the  mis- 
take.  I  have  no  idea  that  Gilbert  is  guilty  of  what  is 
charored  against  him." 

"  Really,  this  is  absurd.  You  are  perfectly  infatu- 
ated with  this  boy,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  angrily, 

"  Mistakes  have  occurred  before,"  said  her  husband, 
with  provoking  calmness.  "  I  will  investigate  the 
matter." 

"I  don't  see  what  investigation   is  needed.     The 


GILBERT  GRETSON'S  FORTUNES.  187 

boy  has  stolen  the  money.      The  book-keeper  told 
Randolph  so." 

"  The  book-keeper  may  be  mistaken." 

"  Not  much  chance  of  that." 

"Or  he  may  have  taken  the  money  himself  and 
charged  it  upon  Gilbert." 

"Really,  Mr.  Briggs  you  are  very  perverse,"  said 
his  wife,  impatiently. 

"  Because  I  am  not  ready  to  believe  Gilbert  a  thief 
before  he  is  proved  so." 

''  After  he  has  been  proved  so." 

"There  would  be  no  need  of  trials  or  juries  if  you 
were  a  judge,  my  dear,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  smiling. 
"You  would  be  for  sentencing  the  unfortunate  de- 
fendant as  soon  as  the  charge  had  been  brought 
a2;ainst  him." 

"  Cherish  your  delusion  as  to  the  boy's  innocence 
as  much  as  you  like,  Mr.  Briggs ;  but  there  is  one 
thing  which  you  will  certainly  concede." 

"  What  is  that  ?  " 

"  Gilbert  Greyson  must  not  be  invited  to  Randolph's 
party." 


188  sniFTixG  FOR  himself;  or, 

"Why  not?" 

"  A  common  thief —  impossible ! " 
^'  But  suppose  he  is  wrongfully  accused?  " 
''It  is  enough  that  he  is  accused,    and   probably 
guilty." 

''I  will  investigate  the  matter,  Mrs.  Briggs.  If  I 
am  convinced  that  the  boy  is  innocent,  he  shall  be 
invited." 

Mrs.  Briggs  was  about  to  make  an  indignant  protest, 
when  the  servant,  who  had  answered  the  door-bell, 
opened  the  door  and  ushered  in  the  innocent  cause  of 
the  heated  discussion,  —  Gilbert  GreysOn. 


GILBERT  GEETSON^S  FORTUNES,  189 


CHAPTER    XX. 


A   FEMALE   FOE. 


There  was  a  moment  of  embarrassing  silence  after 
the  entrance  of  Gilbert.  Mrs.  Briggs,  as  she  after- 
wards expressed  it,  was  paralyzed  with  astonishment 
at  the  effi^ontery  of  the  boy.  Randolph  waited  with 
curiosity  to  hear  what  his  parents  would  say,  while 
Mr.  Briggs  was  silent  merely  because  he  was  taken  by 
surprise.  He  was  the  first  to  speak,  and  his  tone, 
though  a  little  embarrassed,  was  yet  not  without  kind- 
ness. 

"  Good-evening,  Gilbert,"  he  said.  "  Won't  you 
sit  down  and  have  some  dinner  ?  " 

Mrs.  Briggs  looked  daggers  at  her  husband.  How 
could  he  dream  of  extending  such  an  invitation  to 
Gilbert,  under  the  circumstances. 

"No,  thank  you,"  said  Gilbert,  "I  have  already 
dined." 


190  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 

"Then  take  a  seat.  We  shall  soon  be  through 
dinner." 

"This  is  an  unusual  time  to  call,"  said  Mrs. 
Briggs  frigidly,  breaking  silence  for  the  first  time. 

"  What  difference  docs  it  make?"  interposed  her 
husband.  "  Gilbert  is  not  a  stranger,  to  stand  on  cere- 
mony." 

"  So  it  appears,"  returned  his  wife,  in  the  same 
unpleasant  tone. 

"  I  ought  to  apologize  for  calling  during  your  din- 
ner-hour," said  Gilbert,  "but  I  wished  particularly  to 
consult  you  about  my  affairs." 

Of  course  this  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Briggs.  Mrs. 
Briggs  was  perhaps  the  last  person  in  the  range  of  his 
acquaintance  whom  our  hero  would  have  cared  to 
consult. 

"Anything  new  with  you?"  asked  his  guardian, 
in  a  tone  of  slight  embarrassment. 

"Yes,"  answered  Gilbert,  frankly;  "I  am  in 
trouble." 

Mrs.  Briggs  glanced  meaningly  at  Bandolph,  as  if 
to  say,  "  Now  it's  coming." 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S    FORTUNES.  191 

"  You  would  perhaps  wish  to  speak  to  me  alone/' 
said  Mr.  Brio-o-s. 

*^  Oh,  if  you  have  any  secrets,  Randolph  and  I  can 
withdraw,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  with  unnecessary  of- 
fence. She  would  have  been  deeply  disappointed  to 
be  excluded  from  the  conference  between  Gilbert  and 
her  husband.  Our  hero,  however,  relieved  her  of  her 
apprehensions. 

"  Though  I  am  in  trouble,"  he  said,  ''  I  have  noth- 
ing to  be  ashamed  of,  and  am  perfectly  willing  to 
speak  before  all  of  you." 

Mr.  Briggs  here  glanced  at  his  wife  with  a  relieved 
air.  Gilbert  spoke  as  if  confident  of'his  own  inno- 
cence.    It  produced  no  such  effect  on  Mrs.  Briggs. 

"He's  going  to  brazen  it  out,"  she  said  to  herself. 

"  Go  on,  then,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  kindly.  "  What  is 
your  trouble?" 

"I  have  been  charged  with  theft,  and  dismissed 
from  my  situation,"  said  Gilbert,  candidly. 

"Do  you  call  that  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of?" 
demanded  Mrs.  Briggs,  sharply. 


192  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

Gilbert  met  her  hostile  gaze  with  unflinching  calm- 
ness. 

''  No,"  he  said,  "  it  is  nothing  for  me  to  be  ashamed 
of,  for  the  charge  is  false." 

"  What  evidence  have  we  of  that  except  your  own 
assertion?"  demanded  Mrs.  Brif2;i2;s. 

"  That  is  enough  for  me,"  said  Mr.  Briggs. 

"  It  is  not  enough  for  me,"  said  his  wife. 

''  I  will  give  you  an  account  of  the  affair  so  far  as 
1  understand  it,"  said  Gilbert.  "  Fortunately,  I  have 
a  witness  who  is  able  to  confirm  my  words." 

Gilbert's  statement  need  not  be  repeated,  as  the 
facts  are  already  known  to  us. 

"  So  you  expect  us  to  believe  the  testimony  of  this 
boot-black."  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  scornfully,  —  "a highly 
respectable  witness  indeed." 

"I  suppose  a  boot-black  may  speak  the  truth, 
madam,"  said  Gilbert. 

''  I  dare  say  he  would  say  whatever  he  was  in- 
structed to  say  for  twenty-five  cents,  perhaps  less." 

"  You  are  determined  to  believe  me  guilty,  Mrs. 
Briggs,"  said  Gilbert,  quietly,  betraying  no   anger; 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  193 

*'  I  expected  it,  for  I  know  you  are  prejudiced  against 
me.'' 

''  I  certainly  don't  believe  the  very  extraordinary 
story  you  have  told  us,"  retorted  the  lady.  "You 
charge  a  book-keeper,  of  high  standing,  with  entering 
into  a  conspiracy  against  you.  It  is  absurd  upon  its 
face." 

"How  do  you  know  the  book-keeper  is  of  high 
standing?"  asked  Mr.  Briggs. 

"Because  Mr.  Sands  would  not  have  any  other." 

"  Gilbert  has  the  same  guaranty  of  high  standing," 
said  her  husband,  smiling.  "He  has  been  employed 
by  Mr.  Sands." 

"  That  is  different.  He  took  him  upon  your  rec- 
ommendation." 

"  Would  I  be  likely  to  recommend  any  boy  not  of 
high  standino;?  " 

"  Your  levity  seems  to  be  ill-timed,  Mr.  Briggs," 
said  his  wife,  coldly. 

"  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  come  to  you  and  tell  you 

at  once,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  Knowing  that  you  could  not  conceal  it  from  us, 
13 


194  SHIFTING   FOIt   HIMSELF;    Oli^ 

for  "we  knew  it  already,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  who  could 
not  forbear  another  sneer. 

"  You  knew  it  already  •' "  exclaimed  Gilbert,  with 
unmistakable  astonishment.  "  Has  Mr.  Moore  alieady 
sent  you  word  of  it  ?  " 

"No;  Randolph  happened  to  call  at  the  office  fcr 
you  just  after  your  discharge.  He  brought  us  the 
news." 

"  I  am  much  obliged  to  Randolph  for  his  call," 
said  Gilbert;  "  I  am  only  sorry  that  it  occurred  at 
such  an  unfortunate  time." 

"  It  was  unfortunate  for  you,  no  doubt,"  said  Mrs. 
Briggs. 

"When  I  return  there,  I  hope  you  will  call  again," 
said  our  hero,  turning  to  Randolph. 

Mrs.  Briggs  was  exasperated  by  our  hero's  coolness. 

"  Have  you  the  effirontery  to  fancy  you  will  be 
taken  back  after  such  a  crime?  "  she  demanded. 

"  I  have  committed  no  crime,  Mrs.  Briof^s.  The 
charge  is  false,  as  I  shall  prove  to  Mr.  Sands  when  he 
returns  from  Washington.     He   is  a  just   man,  and 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  195 

understands  that  the  book-keeper  is  prejudiced  against 
me." 

'^When  will  Mr.  Sands  return?"  asked  Mr. 
Briggs. 

"In  a  few  days.  He  has  gone  to  the  sick-bed  of 
his  brother.  I  shall  wait  till  he  returns  before  taking 
any  steps  to  clear  myself" 

"It  is  probably  your  best  course.  I  hope  all  will 
come  out  right." 

"  I  think  it  will,"  said  Gilbert.  "  Now,  let  me  bid 
you  good-evening." 

"  Why  not  stay  the  evening?  "  said  Mr.  Briggs,  in 
a  friendly  tone. 

"  Thank  you  very  much,  but  I  will  wait  till  I  am 
cleared  of  this  charge.  I  came  up  to-night  because  I 
wanted  you  to  know  about  it." 

"I  will  accompany  you  to  the  door,"  said  Mr. 
Brio^sis. 

When  they  were  in  the  hall,  he  said,  "  Next 
Wednesday  Randolph  is  to  have  a  birthday  party.  I 
shall  be  glad  to  see  you  here." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said   Gilbert,  gratefully.     "I 


196  SHIFTING   FOR.   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

thank  you  all  the  more,  because  it  shows  that  jou 
believe  in  mj  innocence.  But  all  the  same,  I  would 
rather  not  accept.  I  shall  still  be  resting  under  this 
false  charge,  and  Mrs.  Briggs  evidently  believes  mo 
guilty." 

''Women  are  apt  to  be  prejudiced,"  said  Mr. 
Briggs,   apologetically. 

"  Still  the  prejudice  would  make  it  unpleasant  for 
me  to  come." 

''  Perhaps  you  are  right,  Gilbert.  At  any  rate  J 
you  are  manly  and  independent,  and  I  respect  you 
for  it.  Come  round  to  my  office  if  anything  turns  up 
in  which  you  need  my  advice." 

''  Thank  you,  sir." 

When  Mr.  Briggs  returned  to  the  dining-room,  his 
wife  accosted  him. 

"  Well,  you  had  a  secret  conference  with  your 
promising  protege,"  she  said. 

"  Not  secret.  I  am  willing  to  tell  you  all  that 
passed  between  us." 

''  Well  ?  " 


GILBEB.T   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES,  197 

"  I  invited  Gilbert  to  attend  Randolph's  party  next 
Wednesday.'' 

"Good  heavens!  Mr.  Briggs,"  exclaimed  the  lady, 
angrily,  "  this  is  a  little  too  much.  Of  course  the 
boy  snapped  at  it.  He  has  more  efirontery  than  any 
boy  I  ever  knew." 

"He  declined  the  invitation,"  said  Mr.  Briggs. 
"  He  said  that  while  resting  under  this  charge  he  waa 
unwilling  to  be  present  on  such  an  occasion." 

"  Then  he  has  more  decency  than  I  gave  him 
credit  for,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  relieved.  "  Knowing 
his  guilt,  he  would  find  it  embarrassing." 

"  Permit  me  to  differ  with  you,  Mrs.  Briggs.  One 
thing  more.  I  have  only  given  Gilbert  a  verbal  invi- 
tation. Let  me  request  you  to  send  him  a  personal 
invitation  with  the  rest." 

"What  necessity  is  there  for  that?  Has  he  not 
decl  ined  to  come  ?  " 

"  He  must  receive  a  formal  invitation,  neverthe- 
less," said  her  husband,  sternly,  "  or  there  shall  be  no 
party." 

**  Your  father  is  so   infatuated  with  that  boy," 


198  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

said   Mrs.   Briggs,   after  her   husband  had  left   the 
room. 

But  she  sent  the  invitation.  She  knew  by  her 
husband's  tone  that  he  was  fully  in  earnest.  She  was 
still  a  little  afraid  that  Gilbert  would  accept,  and  was 
only  quite  freed  from  apprehension  when  she  received 
a  note  from  him  regretting  that  he  could  not  be 
present. 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S   FORTUNES.  199 


CHAPTER  XXL 


ALPHONSO   JONES. 


"  Would  you  like  a  little  fun  this  evening,  Gil- 
bert?"   asked   his    room-mate,    on    the    succeeding 


mornmg. 


''Yes,"  said  Gilbert;  ''I  always  enjoy  fun,  and 
especially  now  when  I  have  lost  my  place,  since  it 
will  help  me  to  forget  my  bad  luck.  Is  there  any- 
thing up  ?  " 

"Yes;  we  are  going  to  play  a  practical  joke  on 
Alphonso  Jones.  We  are  going  to  gratify  his  taste 
for  associating  with  the  aristocracy." 

'' What  is  your  plan  ?  " 

"  I  have  discovered  in  Bleecker  Street  a  stylish 
barber,  who  has  a  smattering  of  French.  In  fact,  he 
has  served  me  more  than  once.  He  has  entered  into 
our  plot,  and  agreed  to  personate  a  French  count  — 
the  Count  de  Montmorency." 


200  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  Good !  "  said  Gilbert,  laughing.  ''  When  are  the 
two  to  be  brought  together  ?  " 

"  This  verj  evening,  in  our  room.  I  shall  de- 
spatch a  note  to  Mr.  Jones  during  the  day,  inviting 
him  to  meet  my  illustrious  visitor.  Hajward  and 
Kennedy  are  in  the  secret,  and  will  be  present  also. 
Of  course  you  will  be  with  us,  but  you  must  keep  on 
a  straight  face." 

^^  Never  fear  for  me,"  said  Gilbert.  "I  will  take 
care  not  to  let  the  cat  out  of  the  has:." 

In  conformity  with  the  plan,  Mr.  Alphonso  Jones 
received,  during  the  day,  the  following  note :  — 

"  Dear  Mr.  Jones,  —  I  shall  be  glad  if  you  will 
favor  me  with  your  company  this  evening,  in  my 
room.  I  have  been  fortunate  enough  to  make  the 
acquaintance  of  an  illustrious  French  nobleman. 
Count  Ernest  de  Montmorency,  who,  in  the  most  con- 
descending manner,  has  accepted  an  invitation  to 
spend  this  evening  with  me.  You  will  find  him  very 
affable  and  agreeable,  notwithstanding  his  superiority 
in  social  rank.     I  feel  a  little  diffident  about  receiving 


GILBERT  OREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  201 

him,  not  being  so  well  up  in  the  usages  of  fashion- 
able society  as  you  are  —  I  rely  on  you  to  help  me 
out.  I  have  invited  Hayward  and  Kennedy  also  to 
be  present.  Greyson  will,  of  course,  be  with  us. 
K  you  have  any  other  engagement,  break  it  for  my 
sake. 

"  Yours  truly, 

''W.  IXGALLS." 

The  face  of  Jones  was  overspread  with  smiles  as  he 
read  this  epistle,  and  he  felt  at  least  a  foot  taller. 
He  could  conceive  of  nothing  more  glorious  than  to 
be  introduced  to  a  foreign  nobleman.  Once  in  his 
life  it  had  been  his  privilege  to  make  the  acquaintance 
of  a  brigadier-general,  who  had  given  him  two 
fingers  to  shake,  and  said,  "I  am  glad  to  meet  you, 
sir."  ^lost  of  the  fashionable  acquaintances  of  whom 
he  boasted  had  no  existence  save  in  his  imagination, 
but  this  general  was  a  reality ;  he  was  only  a  general 
of  volunteers,  but  that  made  no  difference  to  Al- 
phonso ;  he  had  managed  hundi*eds  of  times  to  make 
capital  of  his  greatness  in  some  such  way  as  this: 


202  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  My  friend,  General  Smith,  remarked  to  me  one 
day  ;  "  or,  "  Speaking  of  brave  men  reminds  me  of  my 
intimate  friend.  General  Smith."  But  even  General 
Smith  was  not  for  a  moment  to  be  compared  to  the 
Count  Ernest  de  Montmorency ;  there  was  something 
peculiarly  high-toned  in  the  name,  Alphonso  thought. 
So  thought  Mr.  Ingalls,  or  he  would  have  invented 
Bome  other. 

Alphonso  was  anxious  to  communicate  to  some  one 
else  the  honor  in  store  for  him ;  he  would  like  to  have 
gone  to  his  employer  at  once,  and  said,  "  Mr.  Simpson, 
I  am  to  meet  the  Count  de  Montmoi^ency  this  even- 
ing." This,  however,  even  to  Alphonso,  seemed  rather 
an  abrupt  and  uncalled-for  announcement,  and  he  had 
to  consider  how  best  to  manage  the  matter,  for  he  was 
determined  that  Mr.  Simpson  should  know  it.  It  was 
not  entirely  easy,  but  finally  a  bright  and  satisfactory 
idea  dawned  upon  the  happy  Jones. 

He  went  up*to  the  desk,  behind  which  his  employer, 
a  stout,  practical  man  of  business,  was  sitting,  and 
eoughed  by  the  way  of  arresting  his  attention. 


GILBERT  GEEYSON's  FORTUNES,  203 

"Eh,  Mr.  JoneSj  did  jou  wish  to  speak  to  me?" 
inquired  Mr.  Simpson. 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  Alphonso;  "would  you  be  kind 
enough  to  let  me  leave  the  store  half  an  hour  earlier 
than  usual?" 

"If  you  have  a  good  reason,  Mr.  Jones;  are  you 
sick  ?  " 

"No,  sir,  my  health  is  excellent,  thank  you.  The 
fact  is,  sir,  I  have  an  invitation  to  meet  the  noble 
count.  Count  Ernest  de  Montmorency,  this  evening, 
and  —  " 

"The  —  what?"  exclaimed  his  employer,  arching 
his  brows. 

"A  French  nobleman,  sir  —  the  Count  Ernest  de 
Montmorency,"  repeated  Alphonso,  trying  not  to  be- 
tray too  strongly  his  inward  exultation. 

"  What  time  are  you  going  to  meet  him  ?  " 

"  This  evening,  sir,  but  I  wish  time  to  dress  prop- 
erly," 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  that  I  have  any  objection," 
said  the  merchant,  deliberately.  "  Where  is  thig 
count  stopping?  " 


204  SHIFTING   FOE   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  I  don't  know  exactly,  sir ;  but  probably  at  the 
Brevoort  House  or  the  Clarendon." 

"■  Very  well,  you  can  go.  Business  is  not  pressing, 
and  you  can  be  spared.  But,  hark  you,  Mr.  Jones, 
one  word  of  advice." 

''  Certainly,  sir." 

"If  this  count  wants  to  borrow  money  of  you, 
don't  lend  him." 

"  I  am  sure  he  wouldn't  ask  such  a  thing,"  said 
Alphonso,  shocked  at  the  idea.  ''  Why,  he  possesses' 
a  beautiful  chateau  and  an  immense  estate  in  France  !  " 

Here  Alphonso  drew  upon  his  imagination  for  what 
he  considered  to  be  probable  enough. 

"  They  all  say  so,"  said  the  practical  Simpson, 
"  even  when  they  haven't  twenty-five  cents  to  bless 
themselves  with.  My  advice  may  be  needed,  after 
all." 

Alphonso  was  rather  disgusted  by  this  caution, 
which  seemed  so  derogatory  to  the  character  and  posi- 
tion of  a  nobleman ;  but  he,  after  some  reflection, 
attributed  it  to  Mr.  Simpson's  disappointment  in  not 


GILBERT  GEEYSOJSr'S   FORTUNES.  205 

himself  enjoying  the  privilege  of  being  invited  to  meet 
the  count. 

''Mr.  Kidder,"  he  said  to  a  fellow-clerk,  ''what 
do  you  think  of  my  necktie?  " 

"  It  looks  well  enough  —  why  ?  " 

"  I  was  wondering  whether  it  would  do  to  wear  this 
evening." 

"  What's  up  this  evening  ?  " 

"  I  am  invited  to  meet  the  Count  Ernest  de  Mont- 
morency, as  you  will  see  by  this  note." 

"  Strange  Ingalls  didn't  invite  me,"  said  Eddder 
"  When  did  he  pick  up  the  count  ?  " 

"Really,  Mr.  Kidder,  that  is  a  singular  way 
of  speaking, — picking  up  the  count,"  protested 
Alphonso. 

"I  have  no  great  respect  for  French  counts,"  said 
Kidder.     "  They  don't  generally  amount  to  much." 

"He's  jealous,  too,"  said  Alphonso  to  himself, 
complacently.  "It  is  clear  he  envies  me  my  invita- 
tion." 

"What  do  you  think  I  ought  to  wear,  Mr.  Kid- 
der? "  he  asked. 


206  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oil, 

"  Dress  suit  and  white  tie,  of  course." 

^'  So  I  think.  I'm  reallj  sorrj  I  can't  take  you 
with  me,  Kidder." 

''  Oh,  I  couldn't  go  to-night.  I've  got  a  ticket  to 
the  theatre." 

''I'd  rather  meet  the  count  than  go  to  forty 
theatres,"  thought  Alphonso.  "  Wouldn't  it  be  a 
splendid  thing  if  he  should  take  a  fancy  to  me,  and 

invite  me   to  visit  him   at   his   chateau   in  la   belle 
France  ?  " 

Alphonso  made  so  many  mistakes  during  the 
remainder  of  the  day  that  he  might  have  been  spared 
considerably  sooner  without  detriment  to  the  busi- 
ness. 


GILBERT  GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  207 


CHAPTER  XXn. 

COUNT  ERNEST  DE  MONTMORENCY. 

At  eight  o'clock  Alphonso  knocked  at  the  door  of 
Mr.  Ingalls'  room.  He  was  got  up  with  the  utmost 
magnificence  which  he  could  command.  With  his 
dress-coat,  white  tie,  and  imitation  diamond  pin,  he 
made  an  imposing  appearance. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Mr. 
Ingalls.  '■  Count  Ernest  de  Montmorency,  permit  me 
to  introduce  my  friend,  Mr.  Alphonso  Jones." 

The  count,  a  little  man,  with  a  waxed  mustache 
of  extraordinary  size,  a  long  nose,  and  pale,  watery 
eyes,  rose,  and  bowed  profoundly. 

"  I  am  most  happy,  Monsieur  Jones,  to  have  ze 
honor  of  making  your  acquaintance,"  he  said. 

"  My  lord  count,  the  honor  is  on  my  side,"  re- 
turned Alphonso,  with  an  elaborate  bow,  which  ho 
had  learned  in  dancing-schooL 


208  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    OR. 

"Mr.  Jones,"  said  Ingalls,  "will  you  take  the 
chair  next  to  the  count?  Our  distinguished  friend  is 
desirous  of  making  some  inquiries  about  fashionable 
society  in  America." 

"I  shall  bo  most  happy,"  replied  Alphonso,  im- 
mensely flattered,  "to  give  the  noble  count  any 
information  in  my  power." 

"I  understand  from  Monsieur  Ingalls  you  do  go 
much  in  society,"  said  the  count. 

"  A  little,  your  lordship,"  said  Mr.  Jones,  modestly, 
"I  am  intimate  in  some  of  our  leading  families." 

"You   have   some   fine   watering-places,    ri'est   ce 

"Yes,  my  lord  count,  —  Newport,  Saratoga,  and 
Lons:  Branch  are  all  fashionable." 

"You  have  visit  zem  all?" 

"  Oh,  yes,"  answered  Alphonso,  who  had  once 
stopped  over  night  at  Saratoga,  and  made  a  day's  ex- 
cursion to  Long  Branch.  "  I  meet  so  many  of  my  fash- 
ionable friends  there,  that  it  is  very  pleasant  for  me." 

"  Sans  doiite^  and  which  do  you  prefare  ?  " 

"  Saratoga,  my  lord  count.     It  is  the  most  high- 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  209 

toned,  in  ray  opinion.     My  friends,  the  Yernons,  of 
Madison  avenue,  always  go  there." 

"■  I  once  did  know  a  Marquis  de  Vernon  in  my  own 
country." 

"A  relation  of  my  friends,"  said  Alphonso,  confi- 
dently. "How  long  has  your  lordship  been  in 
America  ?  " 

"  Tree  week,  zat  is  all." 

*'Have-you  been  in  New  York  all  the  time?  " 

"No,  Monsieur  Jones,  I  did  visit  Boston  and  Phil- 
adelphia, but  New  York  is  ot*q  fine  city,  ze  best  of 
all ;  it  reminds  me  of  Paris." 

"  Paris  is  a  very  beautiful  city,  I  have  always 
heard,  my  lord  count." 

"Oh,  tres  magnifique.  Zere  is  no  city  like  it. 
Have  you  visited  Paris,  Monsieur  Alphonse?" 

He  is  getting  intimate,  thought  Mr.  Jones,  elated, 
or  he  would  not  call  me  by  my  first  name. 

"  No,   your   lordship,   I   have  not  had  that  great 

pleasure.'' 

"  When  you  come,"  said  the  count,  affably,  you 
U 


210  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    OR, 

must  come  to  mj  chateau  in  Normandy,  and  stay  one 
month." 

This  was  beyond  Alphonso's  most  sanguine  hopes. 
To  be  invited  to  visit  a  foreign  nobleman  at  his 
chateau  was  an  unlooked-for  honor. 

"  You  overwhelm  me  with  your  kindness,  my  lord 
count,"  said  Alphonso,  in  a  flutter  of  delight.  "I 
hope  some  day  to  accept  your  honorable  invitation."  , 

"  I  think  you  will  have  zer  good  time.  My  sister, 
the  Countess  Marie  de  Montmorency,  will  be  charmed 
to  see  you.     She  adores  Americans." 

Alphonso  was  in  the  seventh  heaven  of  delight. 
Instantly  he  pictured  the  high-born  Countess  Marie 
falling  in  love  with  him,  marrying  him,  and  thus  giv- 
ing him  a  place  in  the  aristocratic  circles  of  France. 
Perhaps,  in  that  case,  family  influence  would  procure 
him  a  title  also.  It  was  the  happiest  moment  of  his 
life. 

"  Nothinof  would  delight  me  more  than  to  make  the 
acquaintance  of  your  august  family,  my  lord  count," 
he  said,  his  voice  partly  tremulous  with  joy.  "  When 
do  you  propose  to  return  to  la  belle  France  1 " 


GILBERT   GEEYSON's   FORTUNES,  211 

"What,    you    do  speak  my  language,   Monsieur 
Alphonse  ?  " 

"  Only  a  little,  your  lordship,"  said  Mr.  Jones, 
modestly. 

"  Oiiij  monsieur^  ini'peuP 

''  Comment  vous  portez  voi/s,  Monsieur  Al- 
phonse?^^ 

"  Tres  beaucoujp  bleUy^  answered  Alphonso, 
proudly. 

"What  an  accent!"  exclaimed  the  count,  raising 
both  hands.     "  You  do  speak  like  one  native." 

*'I  think  I  should  soon  learn  it  if  I  were  in  la 
belle  Prance^''  said  Alphonso,  much  pleased. 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls,  "I  don't  like  to 
interrupt  you,  but  permit  me  to  offer  you  a  glass  of 
wine." 

Glasses  were  handed  to  the  company. 

"  Mr.  Jones,  will  you  propose  the  count's  health  ?  " 
asked  the  host.  Alphonso  rose,  and  placed  one  hand 
on  his  heart. 

"Gentlemen,"  he  commenced,  "I  feel  —  ahem! 
deeply  honored,  and  —  and  happy  on  this  auspicious 


212  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;    OR, 

occasion.  We  are  assembled,  sir,  to  do  honor  to  an 
illustrious  peer  of  the  realm.  The  noble  Count 
Ernest  de  Montmorency  honors  us  with  his  high-toned 
presence.  We  all  hope  that  he  may  enjoy  his  visit, 
and  return  in  safety  to  his  aristocratic  relations,  his 
honorable  mother,  and  his  sister,  the  noble  Countess 
Marie  de  Montmorency.  I  propose  the  health  of  the 
noble  count." 

The  toast  was  drunk  with  enthusiasm. 

"Mr.  Jones,  you  are  quite    an  orater,"  said  Mr.^ 
Ingalls. 

"  You  have  ze  great  talent  for  speaking  Monsieur 
Alphonse.     You  should  go  to  Congress." 

"  My  lord  count,  you  flatter  me,"  said  Mr.  Jones, 
deciding  that  this  was,  by  all  odds,  the  proudest 
moment  of  his  life. 

"Not  at  all,  Mr.  Jones,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls."! 
never  heard  a  neater  speech,  did  you.  Hay  ward?  " 

"Never,"  said  Ilayward. 

So  poor  Alphonso  was  fooled  to  the  top  of  his  bent, 
and  when  the  company  separated,  and  he  retired  to 
his  humble  apartment,   he  was   visited  by  the   most 


GILBERT  GRETSON^S  FORTUNES,  213 

ravishing  dreams,  in  which  he  stood  at  the  altar  with 
the  high-born  Countess  Marie  de  Montmorencj,  clad 
in  sumptuous  attire,  wearing  on  his  breast  the  cross  of 
the  Legion  of  Honor. 


214  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OE^ 


CHAPTER  XXm. 

THE  LITTLE   FLOWER-GIRL. 

Gilbert  found  it  very  irksome  to  be  without  em- 
ployment ;  besides,  he  was  anxious  to  be  vindicated  as 
soon  as  possible  from  the  malicious  charge  which  had 
been  made  against  him.  He  felt  himself  fortunate, 
however,  in  one  respect;  he  was  subjected  to  no  priva- 
tions, having  his  board  and  lodging  paid  by  his 
guardian.  Had  Mr.  Briggs  suspected  him,  he  was 
proud  enough  to  have  left  his  boarding-place,  and 
relied  upon  his  own  exertions. 

From  the  force  of  habit,  and  partly  to  fill  up  his 
time,  Gilbert  continued  to  go  down-town  daily.  One 
day  he  met  Mr.  Vivian  on  Broadway,  below  the 
Astor  House. 

''Good-morning,  Gilbert,"  said  the  merchant, 
pleasantly.     ''Are  you  out  on  business?" 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  215 

"  No,  sir,"  answered  Gilbert.  "I  am  out  of 
business  just  at  present." 

"I  thought  jou  were  in  the  office  of  a  stock- 
broker." 

''  So  I  was ;  but  I  have  lost  my  place." 

"  Through  no  fault  of  your  own,  I  am  sure." 

''  No,  sir.  I  should  not  have  lost  my  place  if  Mr. 
Sands  had  been  in  the  city.  During  his  absence  the 
book-keeper,  who  has  a  dislike  to  me  because  I 
superseded  his  cousin,  discharged  me." 

''  Come  up  this  evening  to  my  house,  Gilbert. 
Then  I  shall  be  at  leisure,  and  you  can  tell  me  all 
the  details  of  the  affair." 

''Thank  you^  sir." 

''  I  am  sure  he  won't  credit  the  charcre  acreiinst  me," 
thought  Gilbert,  and  this  thought  encouraged  him  not 
a  little. 

Gilbert  continued  his  walk.  As  he  was  passing 
Trinity  church-yard,  he  was  accosted  by  a  little  girl, 
of  perhaps  eight  years  old.  ''  Won't  you  buy  some 
flowers,  sir?  —  only  five  cents." 

Gilbert  shook  his    head  mechanically.     Then  he 


216  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

glanced  at  the  little  girl,  and  his  sympathy  was 
aroused.  She  was  poorly  dressed,  with  a  fragile 
figure,  and  thin,  pale  face,  which  yet  only  lacked  the 
roundness  and  rosy  hue  of  health  to  be  uncommonly 
pretty.  She  did  not  repeat  her  request,  but  she  looked 
sad  and  depressed.     Gilbert  paused  and  spoke  to  her. 

"  Have  you  sold  many  flowers  to-day,    little  girl?  " 
he  asked. 

"No,  sir:  only  three  bunches,"  she  replied. 

"  Where  do  you  get  them  ?  " 

"  I  sell  them  for  a  woman." 

"How  mucli  does  she  give  you  for  selling  them?  " 

"  Two  cents  a  bunch." 

"Then  you  have  only  made  six  cents  to-day.     How 
long  have  you  been  standing  here  ?  " 

"Ever  since  eight  o'clock,"   said    the  little  girl, 
wearily. 

"  Don't  you  get  tired  being  on  your  feet  so  long?  " 

"I  wouldn't  care  for  that  if  the  people  would  only 
buy  my  flowers." 

"  You   are   young   to   be   sent   out   in   this  way. 
Haven't  you  got  a  father  to  take  care  of  you? ' 


GILBERT  GREYSON\s   FORTUNES.  217 

''  Papa  used  to  take  care  of  me  when  he  was  well, 
and  did  not  let  me  come  out;  but  now  he  is  sick,  and 
we  have  no  money,  and  I  have  to  leave  him,"  said  the 
little  girl,  sadly. 

"Poor  child!"  said  Gilbert,  compassionately. 
'-'  You  are  unfortunate.  Where  does  your  father 
live?" 

"  On  Pearl  Street,  in  a  tenement  house,"  said  the 
little  flower-girl ;  "  but  I  am  afraid  we  will  be  turned 
out  because  we  cannot  pay  the  rent." 

"  What  is  your  name?  " 

"■  Emma  Talbot." 

"  Then,  Emma,  if  you  like,  I  will  go  around  and 
see  your  father  with  you.  Perhaps  I  can  help  him, 
or  get  some  of  my  friends  to  help  him.  Can  you 
come  now  ?  " 

'■'  When  I  have  sold  this  bunch  of  flowers,  sir." 

"  As  it  is  the  last  you  have  got,  I  will  take  it;  so 
we  needn't  wait." 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  sir,"  said  the  child,  brightening 
up.  '^  If  you  won't  mind,  I  will  stop  and  buy  a  roll 
ut  the  baker's  for  papa." 


218  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

"  Certainly,  Emma.  I  have  plenty  of  tima 
Wait :  take  my  hand  while  we  cross  the  street ;  you 
must  be  careful,  or  you  may  be  run  over." 

''  I  wait  for  the  policeman  generally,"  said  the 
little  girl.     "  I  should  be  afraid  to  cross  alone." 

''  You  are  quite  right  to  be  careful." 

The  little  girl  took  his  hand  confidingly,  and 
together  they  crossed  the  City  Hall  Park.  It  was  a 
new  sensation  to  Gilbert  to  have  the  charge  of  a  little 
girl.  He  had  always  been  thrown  among  boys,  and; 
never  having  had  a  sister,  was  very  ignorant  of  girls, 
and  the  tastes  of  girls.  For  the  first  time,  as  he 
held  Emma's  hand,  it  occurred  to  him  that  he  would 
like  to  have  a  little  sister,  whom  he  could  pet  and 
protect. 

As  he  was  crossing  the  Park,  he  met  his  successor, 
John,  sauntering  along  at  a  snail's  pace.  John  had 
been  sent  out  on  an  errand,  but  had  fallen  into  his  old 
way  of  loitering  and  wasting  the  time  which  belonged 
to  his  employer.  When  he  caught  sight  of  Gilbert 
he  started  in  surprise  at  his  young  companion. 


GILBERT  ORETSON^S   FORTUNES.  219 

"  Hallo,  Grejson  !  "  he  said,  by  way  of  opening  a 
conversation. 

"  Good-morning,"  said  Gilbert,  coldly. 

^'Is  that  your  sister?"  asked  John,  looking  hard 
at  Emma. 

^'  No,"  answered  Gilbert,  shortly. 

''Ho,  ho  !  "  laughed  John.  "I  understand." 

"  I  am  glad  you  do." 

"You've  got  a  place  as  a  girl's  nurse.  That's 
good." 

"You  are  very  witty,"  said  Gilbert. 

"How  muck  wages  do  you  get?"  continued  John. 

"  I  think  I  had  better  not  tell  you,  or  you  might 
get  up  a  conspiracy  to  deprive  me  of  my  position." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  that?"  asked  John,  un- 
comfortably. 

"  You  know  well  enough  what  I  mean.  You  know 
that  you  got  your  present  place  by  dishonorable 
means.     But  I  don't  think  you'll  keep  it  long." 

"You'd  better  take  care  what  you  say,"  blustered 
John.     "  My  cousin  may  have  you  arrested  yet." 

"  He  is  quite  at  liberty  to  do  so,"  answered  Gilbert, 


220  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;   OR, 

unterrified.  ''  I  don't  think  he  will  find  it  prudent 
though." 

"Why  not?" 

"  Because  it  might  come  out  who  really  put  the 
money  in  my  coat-pocket." 

"  You  did  it  yourself." 

''You  are  mistaken.  I  have  found  out  who  did 
put  it  in." 

"Who?" 

"I  don't  think  you  need  any  information  on  that 
point." 

"Look  here,"  said  John,  angrily,  "you'd  better 
not  tell  any  lies  to  Mr.  Sands  when  he  comes  back." 

"  I  have  no  occasion  to  do  so." 

"You'd  better  leave  the  city,  or  Mr.  Sands  may 
have  you  arrested." 

"  I  will  risk  that." 

"  I  guess  you  can  get  a  place  in  Philadelphia," 
said  John.  "  I'll  get  my  cousin  to  give  you  a  recom- 
mendation if  you'll  promise  to  go  there." 

"  How  can  he  recommend  me  after  discharging  me 
for  theft  ?  " 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  221 

"  He'll  think  this  will  he  a  lesson  to  you.  Shall  I 
ask  him?" 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  don't  intend  to  leave  the  city 
at  present." 

'Tm  afraid  that  chap  will  make  trouble  for  me 
yet,"  muttered  John  to  himself,    as    Gilbert  walked 

away  with  the  little  girl;  ''but  he  can't  prove  any- 
thing. I  guess  me  and  cousin  Simon  will  be  more 
than  a  match  for  him." 


222  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OB^ 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


Emma's  father. 


GilJERT  kept  on  his  way  with  the  little  girl 
After  X  short  walk,  she  paused  in  front  of  a  miserable 
tenement  house  on  Pearl  Street. 

"This  is  where  we  live,"  she  said;  "will  you  go 
upstairs,  sir?"  f 

"  If  you  think  I  shall  not  be  intruding  on  your 
father,"  said  Gilbert,  with  instinctive  delicacy. 

"  He  will  be  glad  to  see  a  kind  face,"  said  Emma, 
simply. 

"  Then  if  you  will  lead  the  way,  I  will  follow," 
said  our  hero. 

They  clambered  up  three  flights  of  stairs,  and  then 
Emma  opened  a  door  and  ushered  her  companion  into 
a  small,  barely  furnished  room.  On  a  pallet  on  the 
floor  was   stretched  a  man  of  fifty,   pale   and  ema- 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  2'23 

dated,  with  eyes  preternaturally  bright ;  his  face  was 
turned  towards  the  wall,  and  he  did  not  see  Gilbert. 

"  Is  that  you,  Emma  ?  "  he  asked. 

'•  Yes,  papa ;  how  do  you  feel  now  ?  "  asked  the 
little  girl. 

"Much  the  same,  my  child;  did  you  sell  your 
flowers  ?  '' 

"  Yes,  papa,  and  I  have  brought  you  a  fresh  roll. 
I  have  brought  some  one  with  me,  too." 

Mr.  Talbot  turned  his  head,  and  looked  at  Gilbert, 
not  without  surprise. 

"I  hope  you  won't  look  upon  me  as  an  intruder, 
sir,"  said  Gilbert;  "your  little  girl  told  me  you 
would  not,  or  I  would  not  have  ventured  to  call." 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you."  said  the  sick  man, 
"  though  this  is  but  a  poor  place  to  receive  company 
in." 

"I  understand  your  situation,  sir,"  said  Gilbert; 
"  you  have  been  sick  and  unfortunate. 


5? 


' '  You  are  i  ight ;  I  was  unfortunate  first,  and  sick 
afterwards  Emma,  will  you  give  the  young  gentle- 
man a  chair?" 


224  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

''  Oh,  don't  trouble  yourself,"  said  Gilbert,  taking 
a  chair  for  himself. 

Mr.  Talbot  proceeded:  ''Five  years  since,  I  re- 
moved to  Chicago,  with  my  little  girl,  in  the  hope 
that  in  that  growing  and  prosperous  Western  city  I 
might,  at  least,  earn  a  comfortable  living.  I  was  not 
wholly  without  means,  —  I  had  about  a  thousand  dol- 
lars, —  but  misfortune  pursued  me.  I  was  once  burnt 
out,  lost  my  situation  by  the  failure  of  the  firm  that 
employed  me,  and  the  end  of  it  all  was,  that  a  year 
ago  I  found  myself  bankrupt.  Then  I  decided  to 
come  to  New  York,  hoping  to  succeed  better  here.  I 
managed,  while  I  was  well,  to  earn  a  precarious  living 
by  copying  for  lawyers  (I  am  a  book-keeper  by  voca- 
tion) but,  a  month  since,  I  was  stricken  down  by  a 
fever,  from  which  I  am  only  just  recovering.  How 
we  have  got  along  I  can  hardly  tell  you.  When  I 
became  sick  I  had  but  a  dollar  in  my  pocket-book, 
yet  we  have  continued  to  live.  My  little  Emma,"  he 
continued,  looking  proudly  at  the  little  girl,  "has 
been  a  great  help  to  me.     She  has  managed  to  earn  a 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  225 

little,  and  has  attended  upon  me  by  night  and  by  daj. 
I  don't  know  what  I  could  have  done  without  her." 

"  I  ought  to  work  for  you  now,  papa,"  said  the 
child,  simply;  "all  my  life  you  have  been  working 
for  me." 

"She  is  a  perfect  little  woman,  though  only  ten 
years  old,"  said  the  father.  "  Poor  child  !  her  life 
has  been  far  from  bright.  I  hope  the  future  has 
some  happier  days  in  store  for  both  of  us." 

"Only  get  well,  sir,"  said  Gilbert,  cheerfully, 
"  and  the  happier  days  will  begin." 

"  I  hope  so ;  but  even  in  health  I  found  it  hard  to 
get  along." 

At  this  moment  there  was  a  knock  at  the  door. 

Emma  w^ent  to  the  door,  and  opened  it. 

A  short,  stout,  coarse-featured  woman  entered,  and 
looked  about  her  with  the  aii-  of  one  who  had  come  to 
engage  in  battle. 

"  Take  a  seat,  Mrs.  Flanders,"  said  the  sick  man. 

"  Much  obliged  to  you,  sir,"  said  the  woman,  not 

to  be  placated  by  this  politeness;   "  but  I  can't  stop. 

I  come  on  business.     I  suppose  you  know  what  it  is  " 
15 


226  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

'■'■  I  suppose  it  is  the  rent,"  said  Mr.  Talbot, 
uneasily. 

''  Yes,  it  is  the  rent,"  said  Mrs.  Flanders.  ''  I  hope 
you  are  ready  to  pay  it." 

"How  can  you  expect  it,  Mrs.  Flanders?  You 
know  how  long  I  have  been  sick  and  unable  to  earn 
anything." 

"That  is  not  my  fault,  Mr.  Talbot,"  said  the 
woman,  sharply.  ''I'm  a  widow  woman,  and  have 
to  look  out  for  myself.  When  I  let  you  this  room,- 1 
told  you  you  must  pay  me  prompt,  for  I  had  to  pay 
prompt.     Have  you  forgot  that  ?  " 

''  No,  I  have  not  forgotten  it,  and  I  am  very  sorry 
that  circumstances  have  been  so  against  me.  Wait 
patiently,  and  I  will  pay  you  yet." 

"  Wait  patiently  !  "  repeated  the  woman,  angrily. 
"Haven't  I  been  waiting  patiently  for  a  month?  To- 
morrow I  have  to  pay  my  rent,  and  I  must  be  paid 
what  you  owe  me." 

"  We  have  but  a  few  cents  in  the  house,"  said  Mr. 
Talbot.     "  How  much  have  you  got,  Emma?  " 

"  Four  cents,  papa." 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  227 

'^ Give  them  to  Mrs.  Flanders;    it  is  all  we  have." 

'Tour  cents!"  exclaimed  the  landlady,  shrilly; 
"do  you  mean  to  insult  me?" 

^'1  don't  feel  much  like  insulting  anybody,"  said 
Mr.  Talbot,  wearily. 

"  Once  more,  do  you  intend  to  pay  me  my  rent  or 
not?"  demanded  the  virago. 

"  I  can't  at  present.     In  time —  " 

*' Stuff  and  nonsense! — then  out  you  budge  to- 
day.    I  can't  afford  to  keep  you  here  for  nothing." 

"  0  Mrs.  Flanders,"  pleaded  Emma,  in  terror. 
"  It  will  kill  my  father  to  go  out,  sick  as  he  is.  Let 
us  stay  here  a  little  longer." 

''It  won't  do,"  said  the  woman;  "I'm  not  so 
soft  as  that  comes  to.  If  you  won't  pay  the  rent, 
you  must  budge." 

Gilbert  had  listened  to  this  dialog-ue  with  minsled 
pain  and  indignation.  It  was  his  first  practical 
acquaintance  with  poverty  and  the  world's  inliu- 
manity.     He  could  remain  silent  no  longer. 

"  How  much  is  your  bill,  madam?  "  he  asked. 


228  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"Rent  for  four  weeks,  at  a  dollar  a  week,  —  four 
dollars." 

"  I  will  pay  it,"  said  Gilbert,  glad  that  the  amount 
was  not  beyond  his  resources. 

The  little  girl  impulsively  seized  his  hand  and  car- 
ried it  to  her  lips. 

"Oh,  how  kind  you  are  !  "  she  said. 

"Are  you  sure  it  will  not  inconvenience  you?" 
asked  Mr.  Talbot. 

"Oh,  no,  sir." 

"Then  I  will  accept  the  loan  with  thanks.  You 
are  a  friend  in  need,"  ' 

The  landlady  took  the  money  with  avidity,  for  she 
had  considered  the  debt  a  bad  one. 

"Thank  you,  young  man,"  she  said;  adding,  in  an 
apologetic  tone,  "  You  may  think  me  hard,  but  I 
have  to  be.     I  have  to  live  myself" 

Gilbert  listened  coldly,  for  he  was  disgusted  with 
the  woman's  coarse  and  brutal  manners. 

"  And  I  hope  you'll  get  well  soon,  sir,"  she  said, 
turning  to  Mr.  Tabot ;  but  he  did  not  answer  her. 

"It  is  the  way  of  the  world,"  he  remarked,  after 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  229 

Mrs.   Flanders   had   gone   out.      "  Poverty   has   few 
friends." 

''  AYhen  jou  are  well,  sir,  I  will  mention  you  to  a 
friend  who  may  give  you  some  work,"  said  Gilbert. 
''Meanwhile  I  will  call  again  in  a  day  or  two." 

"You  will  always  be  welcome,"  said  Mr.  Talbot, 
gratefully.     "  You  have  done  me  a  great  service." 

When  Gilbert  Avent  out,  he  realized  that  his  gener- 
osity might  cause  him  inconvenience,  for  he  had  but  a 
dollar  remaining  in  his  pocket-book,  and  was  earning 
nothing. 


230  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

GILBERT   IN   A   TIGHT   PLACE. 

Gilbert  called  upon  the  Vivians  the  same  even- 
ing. He  was  received  with  as  much  cordiality  as  on 
his  first  visit. 

"  Now/'  said  Mr.  Vivian,  laying  down  the  even- 
ing paper,  which  he  had  been  reading  at  Gilbert's 
entrance,  "  tell  me  how  you  came  to  lose  your  place." 

Gilbert  told  his  story  in  the  fewest  possible  words. 

''It's  a  great  shame,"  said  Fred,  indignantly;  "  I'd 
like  to  put  a  head  on  that  book-keeper." 

"I  sympathize  with  you,  Fred,"  said  Laura;  "  but 
I  think  you  might  have  expressed  yourself  differ- 
ently." 

"Your  sister  is  right,  Fred,"  said  Mr.  Vivian; 
''  you  must  not  be  too  ready  to  employ  street 
phrases." 

"  That's  what  I  mean,  any  way,"  said  Fred. 


GILBERT   GREYSON  S   FORTUNES.  231 

'  *•  Do  you  think  your  employer  will  do  you  justice 
when  he  returns  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Vivian. 

"  Yes,  sir.     Mr.  Sands  is  an  excellent  man,  and  he 
knows    very   well    that    Mr.    Moore     is   prejudiced 


agamst  me, 


"!■} 


''  Then  you  expect  to  be  taken  back?  " 

''Yes,  sir." 

''If  anything  should  occur  to  prevent,  come  at 
once  and  let  me  know." 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

Before  the  evening  was  over  Gilbert  managed  to 
introduce  the  subject  of  the  little  flower-girl  whom  he 
had  befriended.  He  gave  an  account  of  the  father's 
sickness,  and  the  little  girl's  devotion,  Fred  and 
Laura  were  much  interested,  and  asked  many  ques- 
tions, which   Gilbert   answered  as  well  as  he  could. 

"You  think  these  people  really  worthy  of  assist- 
ance, Gilbert?"  asked  Mr.  Vivian. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  have  no  doubt  of  it." 

"  You  know  there  are  many  impostors,  who  live  by 
working  on  the  sympathies  of  the  benevolent?  " 

*'  Yes,  sir ;  but  in  this  case  I  have  no  hesitation  at 


232  SHIFTING   FOE   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

all.     I  am  sure  Mr.  Talbot  and  the  little  girl  deserve 
help." 

"  In  that  case,"  said  the  merchant,  ''  I  am  willing 
to  do  something;  for  them." 

He  drew  from  his  pocket  a  ten-dollar  bill  and 
handed  it  to  Gilbert. 

"  It  may  be  best,"  he  suggested,  "  not  to  give  them 
this  money  all  at  once,  but  a  dollar  or  two  at  a  time, 
in  order  to  insure  its  careful  use." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Gilbert,  joyfully;  'Hhis, 
money  will  be  like  a  fortune  to  them.  I  will  see  that 
your  wishes  are  carried  out."  r 

"Papa,"  said  Fred,  "may  I  give  Gilbert  my  five- 
dollar  gold  piece  for  the  little  girl  and  her  father?" 

"  Not  at  present,  Fred ;  though  I  am  glad  you  feel 
like  offering  it.  When  this  money  is  expended,  Gil- 
bert will  let  us  know,  and  then  we  will  see  what  else 
is  to  be  done." 

"  You  are  a  dear,  good  boy,  to  offer  the  money," 
said  Laura,  giving  her  brother  an  unexpected  kiss; 
*'you  have  got  a  good  heart,  though  you  don't  always 
keep  your  face  and  hands  clean." 


GILBERT  GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  233 

"  A  fellow  can't  be  always  washing  his  face  and 
hands."  said  Fred.     ''  You  needn't  kiss  me  if  you  are 

afraid  of  the  dirt." 

« 

Laura  launched.  ''  I  will  risk  it  this  time,"  she 
said. 

"Won't  you  play  me  a  game  of  checkers,  Gil- 
bert? "  asked  Fred. 

"What  am  I  to  do  while  you  two  are  playing?" 
asked  Laura. 

'•Oh,  you  can  be  umpire,"  said  Fred. 

"I  should  be  sure  to  decide  against  you,"  said 
Laura. 

"That's  because  you  like  Gilbert,"  said  Fred,  who 
was  just  at  the  age  when  a  boy  is  apt  to  make  dis- 
concerting speeches. 

Laura  blushed  a  little,  and  so  did  Gilbert. 

"  I  think  we  both  like  him,"  said  Laura. 

"I  do,"  said  Fred. 

"  Thank  you  both,"  said  Gilbert.  "  I  suppose 
there  isn't  such  a  thing  as  three  playing  a  game  of 
checkers.     That  would  bring  us  all  in." 


234  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oil, 

''No,"  said  Laura;  " but  we  can  play  the  Mansion 
of  Happiness,  if  Fred  is  willing." 

"I  don't   mind,"    said   Fred.     ''That's   good  fun, 

* 

too." 

So  the  game  referred  to  was  brought  out,  and  an 
hour  was  consumed  in  this  way.  Fred,  to  his  great 
delight,  was  the  victor  each  time,  and  was  disposed  to 
exult  over  his  vanquished  opponents. 

"Never  mind,  Fred;  it  will  be  our  turn  next 
time,"  said  Laura. 

At  half-past  nine  Gilbert  set  out  for  home.  He 
felt  that  he  had  passed  a  pleasant  eVening,  and  was 
cheered  by  the  thought  that  his  discharge  had  not 
alienated  these  true  friends  from  him. 

Two  days  later  he  went  into  the  office  of  Mr. 
Briggs.  He  was  accustomed  to  make  a  weekly  call, 
when  Mr.  Briggs  would  give  him  money  to  pay  his 
week's  board. 

"  Is  Mr.  Briggs  in?  "  he  asked,  after  looking  about 
him  in  vain  for  that  gentleman. 

"  Mr.  Briggs  will  not  be  in  for  a  long  time,"  said 
the  clerk  addressed.     "  He  has  gone  to  Europe." 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES,  235 

"Gone  to  Europe  !  "  exclaimed  Gilbert,  in  genuine 
astonishment. 

"  Business  of  importance  called  him  very  sud- 
denly," said  the  clerk. 

"  How  long  is  he  to  be  gone  ?  " 

''It  is  uncertain.  From  two  to  three  months,  I 
should  say." 

''Did  he   leave  any  letter  or  message  for  me, — 
Gilbert  Greyson  ?. " 

The  clerk  shook  his  head. 

"  Nothing  at  all,"  he  answered. 

Gilbert  left  the  office  in  great  perplexity.  How 
was  he  to  pay  the  week's  board  now  due,  he  asked 
himself,  with  less  than  a  dollar  in  hand,  and  no  in- 
come? 


236  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OJtj 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


THE   count's  SECKET. 


On  the  morning  after  Alphonso  Jones  had  enjoyed 
his  memorable  interview  with  the  Count  Ernest  de 
Montmorency,  he  bore  himself  in  a  loftier  and  more 
consciously  superior  manner  than  usual.  He  felt  that 
he  was  entitled  to  a  larger  measure  of  consideration, 
on  acceunt  of  his  intimacy  with  one  'of  the  nobility. 

"  The  count  must  have  seen  something  in  me,  or 
he  would  not  have  invited  me  to  visit  him  at  his 
chateau,"  reflected  Alphonso. 

It  was  natural  that  Mr.  Jones  should  wish  his 
friends  to  be  aware  of  his  social  distinction. 

"Good-morning,  Mr.  Kidder,"  he  said,  in  a  patron- 
izing manner,  to  his  fellow-clerk.  "How  did  you 
enjoy  the  theatre  last  evening  ?  " 

"Very  well.  The  play  was  a  good  one,  and  well 
performed." 


GILBERT   GREYSOy'S   FORTUNES.  237 

*^I  also  passed  the  evening  in  a  very  agreeable 
manner,"  remarked  Alphonso,  complacently. 

''Where  were  you?" 

''In  Mr.  Installs'  room. 

"  Oh,  yes,  1  forgot.  What  company  did  he  have 
in?  Didn't  you  say  something  of  a  French  count 
being  expected?" 

"The  Count  Ernest  de  Montmorency  was  present," 
said  Alphonso,  dwelling  with  unction  on  the  high- 
sounding  syllables. 

"  How  did  you  like  him  ?  "  asked  Kidder,  who  had 
received  a  brief  note  from  Mr.  Ingalls,  letting  him 
into  the  secret. 

"I  never  met  a  more  high-toned  gentleman,"  said 
INIr.  Jones,  enthusiastically.  "  His  manners  were 
most  courtly,  and  I  may  add  that  he  was  very  affable 
to  me." 

"  In  oralis  ouirht  to  have  invited  me,"  said  Mr.  Kid- 
der,  affectino;  to  feel  slio^hted. 

"  He  will  doubtless  remember  you  another  time," 
said  Alphonso;  "probably  the  count  does  not  like  a 
large  company." 


238  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 

*'  I  suppose  he  is  just  like  other  men,"  said  Kidder, 
bj  way  of  drawing  out  his  fellow-clerk.  ''  If  you 
hadn't  known  him  to  be  a  count,  you  wouldn't  have 
seen  anything  particular  in  him." 

"  I  beg  to  differ  with  you,"  said  Alphonso,  with  an 
air  of  superior  information.  "  Some  persons  might 
have  thought  so;  but  I  claim  to  be  a  judge  of 
men,  and  I  at  once  saw  that  he  was  a  high-toned 
aristocrat." 

"What  did  you  judge  from,  now?"  asked  Kidder, 
amused. 

' '  I  cannot  explain  what,  —  it  was  that  the  French  call 
je  ne  sals  qiioi^^  answered  Mr.  Jones,  who  had  been 
studying  up  some  French  phrases  that  very  morning. 

'-'•Genesee  squaw !  ^^  echoed  Kidder,  purposely 
misunderstanding  him.  "What  on  earth  has  a 
French  count  to  do  with  a  Genesee  squaw?" 

'•'  I  pity  your  ignorance,  Mr.  Kidder,"  said  Al- 
phonso, mildly.  "  The  words  I  used  were  French, 
and  mean,  '  I  don't  know  what.'  " 

"  You  don't  know  what  they  mean  ?  Then  why  do 
you  use  them?" 


GILBERT    GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  239 

"  You  misunderstand  me  again.  Je  ne  sals  qiioi 
means  I  —  do  —  not  —  know  —  what.  Do  jou  see  it 
now?" 

"Oh,  that's  it.  I  didn't  know  jou  were  such  a 
French  scholar,  Mr.  Jones." 

"I  am  a  poor  French  scholar,"  said  Alphonso, 
modestly;  "  but  I  shall  try  to  make  myself  familiar 
with  the  language  before  I  go  to  France." 

"Are  you  going  to  France?  How  long  has  that 
been  in  your  mind?  " 

"To  tell  the  truth,  Mr.  Kidder,  I  never  thought 
seriously  of  it  till  last  evening.  But  since  the  Count 
de  Montmorency  has  been  kind  enough  to  invite  me 
to  visit  him  at  his  chateau,  and  become  acquainted 
with  his  noble  family,  I  feel  that  it  is  quite  worth  my 
while  to  prepare  myself  to  converse  with  them." 

"  You  don't  say  so  !  What  a  lucky  fellow  you 
are  !     Did  the  count  really  invite  you? " 

"  He  invited  me  in  the  most  affable  and  friendly  — 
I  may  say  urgent  manner,"  said  Alphonso,  compla- 
cently. 

"Couldn't  you  get  me  an  invitation,  too?"  asked 


240  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

Kidder,  in  pretended  anxiety.  ''I've  been  long  want- 
ing to  go  abroad,  and  I  think  my  father  would  con- 
sent, if  I  received  such  an  invitation  as  that." 

"  I  should  like  to  oblige  you,  Mr.  Kidder,  but 
really  I  couldn't  venture  on  such  a  liberty,"  said 
Alphonso,  decidedly;  for  he  feared  that  his  fellow- 
clerk,  who  was  better-looking  than  himself,  might 
interfere  with  his  matrimonial  designs  upon  the 
count's  high-born  sister. 

"Perhaps  the  count  will  invite  me  himself  Til 
get  Ingalls  to  introduce  me." 

'^  Possibly,"  said  Alphonso,  coldly;  ''but  I  wouldn't 
obtrude  myself  upon  his  lordship." 

"  I  don't  see  why  I  shouldn't  be  introduced  as  well 
as  you." 

Alphonso,  who  privately  considered  himself  more 
high-toned  than  Kidder,  felt  that  there  was  good 
reason,  but  did  not  think  it  policy  to  pursue  the 
subject. 

Probably  Mr.  Jones  referred  to  the  Count  Ernest, 
de  Montmorency  at  least  thirty  times  that  day,  and 
succeeded  in  arousing  the  curiosity  and  envy  of  such 


GILBERT   GREYSON's    FORTUNES.  241 

of  his  acquaintances  as  were  not  in  the  secret.  He 
indulged  in  many  a  gorgeous  day-dreauij  in  which  he 
figured  as  the  brother-in-law  of  the  count,  with  a 
beautiful  chateau  of  his  own,  and  this  continued  for 
several  days.  But  his  dreams  were  destined  to  a  rude 
awakening. 

One  evening,  in  passing  through  Blocker  Street, 
Mr.  Jones  strolled  into  a  barber  shop,  which  he  had 
never  before  entered.  He  glanced  carelessly  about 
him,  when  he  made  a  sudden  start,  and  gasped  for 
breath.  There,  behind  a  barber's  chair,  in  the  act  of 
shaving  a  red-headed  man,  was  the  elegant  Count 
Ernest  de  Montmorency  ! 

The  count  looked  up  and  met  Alphonso's  astonished 
gaze. 

''  Good-evening,  M.  Alphonse,"  he  said,  with  a 
nod  and  a  smile. 

"Good-evening,"  ejaculated  Alphonso,  with  diffi- 
culty. 

How  could  he  say  "  my  lord  count  "  to  a  barber? 

"Are  you   the  —  the  —  gentleman   I  met   at   the 

room  of  my  friend,  Mr.  Ingalls?"  asked  Mr.  Jones. 
IG 


242  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    Olt^ 

''The  same.  I  will  explain  hereafter,"  said  the 
count,  mysteriously. 

Alphonso  succeeded  the  red-headed  man  in  the 
chair  presided  over  by  the  count. 

''I  am  incognito,"  said  the  latter,  in  a  low  voice. 
"I  have  been  reduced  to  poverty  by  the  rascality 
of  a  relative.  They  don't  know  me  here  in  the 
shop." 

"You  don't  say  so!"  ejaculated  Mr.  Jones,  much 
impressed. 

''They  think  I  am  a  common  man.  It  would  not 
do  to  tell  them." 

"Does  Mr.  Ingalls  know?"  asked  Alphonso. 

"Yes,  he  knows  how  I  am  reduced;  but  he  does 
not  respect  me  the  less.  May  I  rely  upon  your 
secrecy,  also?  " 

"Certainly,  my  lord  —  I  mean,  sir,"  said  Mr. 
Jones,  beginning  to  think  it  was  all  right  again, 
"  Do  you  think  you  will  ever  recover  your  estates  ?  " 

"  Don't  speak  so  loud  !  Yes,  I  am  almost  sure  of 
it.  In  tliat  case,  I  shall  expect  you  to  visit  me  at 
my  chateau." 


GILBERT   G  RET  son'  S   FORTUNES.  243 

"  Thank  jou.     I  shall  be  most  happy." 

"  How  strange  it  seems  to  be  shaved  bj  a  count !  " 
thought  Alphonso.  "  But  I  really  wish  he  wasn't  a 
barber.     Couldn't  he  oret  somethinor  else  to  do  ?  " 

"  How  is  your  friend,  the  Count  de  Montmorency, 
Mr.  Jones  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Kidder,  the  next  morning. 

*'  I  believe  he  is  well,"  said  Alphonso,  shortly. 


244  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 


CHAPTER  XXVn. 

HARD   UP. 

A  STREET  hoj,  accustomed  to  live  from  hand  to 
mouth,  would  not  have  been  disconcerted  on  finding 
himself  in  Gilbert's  circumstances.  But  this  was  our 
hero's  first  experience  of  debt  which  he  was  unable  to 
pay,  and  it  troubled  him.  He  felt  embarrassed  at  the 
dinner-table,  knowinnj  that  he  was  eatino;  a  meal  for 
which  he  had  not  the  means  of  paying ;  and  this 
thought  not  only  interfered  with  his  appetite,  but 
made  him  unusually  silent  and  reserved.  His  room- 
mate noticed  this,  and  spoke  of  it  when  they  had  gone 
up  to  their  room  together. 

"What  made  you  so  quiet,  Gilbert?"  he  asked. 
"You  scarcely  uttered  a  word  at  the  dinner-table." 

"  The  fact  is,  Mr.  Ingalls,  I  am  in  trouble,"  an- 
swered Gilbert. 

"About  your  loss  of  place?     You  told  me  about 


GILBERT  GEETSON's   FORTUNES.  245 

thrit,  and  that  jou  expected  to  get  it  back  when  your 
employer  returned." 

"  So  I  do  ;  but  there  is  another  trouble." 

"  Troubles  never  come  singly,  they  say." 

''It  seems  to  be  true  in  my  case.  I  am  owing  for 
a  week's  board,  and  don't  know  where  I  shall  get  the 
money  to  pay  it." 

*'  I  thought  your  guardian  paid  your  board,"  said 
Ingalls,  who  was  acquainted  with  the  particulars  of 
Gilbert's  history. 

"  So  he  did ;  but  he  has  sailed  for  Europe  suddenly, 
without  making  any  provision  for  the  payment  of  my 
money." 

"  How  long  is  he  to  be  gone?  " 

"  Two  or  three  months,  they  told  me  at  the  office." 

"  That  is  rather  inconvenient.  If  you  were  only  a 
few  years  older,  there  would  be  a  remedy." 

"  What  remedy  ?  " 

"  You  could  marry  Miss  Brintnall.  Mrs.  White 
told  me  the  other  day  that  Miss  Brintnall  has  saved 
up  two  or  three  thousand  dollars  from  her  earnings." 


246  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"That  will  be  convenient  for  you  when  she  be- 
comes Mrs.  Ingallsj"  said  Gilbert,  with  a  smile. 

"  Do  you  think  I  would  sacrifice  myself  for  that 
paltry  sum?"  demanded  Ingalls,  with  much  indigna- 
tion. "  Ten  thousand  dollars  is  the  lowest  sum  for 
which  I  will  sacrifice  my  liberty.  I'll  tell  you  who 
is  most  likely  to  become  Miss  Brintnalfs  husband, 
that  is,  if  she  consents." 

"  Who  ?  " 

"Alphonso  Jones." 

"  What  makes  you  think  so  ?  " 

"  Alphonso  lacks  money  to  back  'up  his  gentility. 
He  only  gets  twelve  dollars  a  week,  Kidder  tells  me, 
though  he  claims  to  have  a  thousand  dollars  a  year. 
Miss  Brintnall's  fortune  will  be  a  great  inducement 
to  him." 

"  You  forget  that  he  has  hopes  of  an  alliance  with 
the  sister  of  the  Count  de  Montmorency." 

''I  think  he  had  better  take  Miss  Brintnall,"  said 
Mr.  Ingalls,  dryly.  ''  Now,  to  come  back  to  your 
affairs.     Are  you  quite  out  of  money? " 

*'  Almost.     I  gave  four  dollars  to  a  poor  family  a 


GILBERT  GEETSOy'S   FORTUNES.  247 

day  or  two  since,  not  expecting  that  I  was  to  be  left 
this  way.  I  have  about  fifty  cents  in  my  pocket-book, 
and  I  owe  a  week's  board." 

His  room-mate  reflected  a  moment. 

''I  wish  I  were  richer,  for  your  sake,  Gilbert,"  he 
said.  "As  it  is,  I  can  lend  you  money  enough  to  pay 
this  week's  board  bill.  Before  another  week  comes 
round,  something  may  turn  up." 

''Thank  you,"  said  Gilbert,  gratefully;  ''but  I 
don't  like  to  rob  you." 

"  You  won't  rob  me,  for  I  intend  to  let  you  repay 
it  when  you  can.  If  I  could  keep  it  up  till  your 
guardian  returns  I  would  do  so ;  but  this  I  can't  do. 
I  will  tell  you  what  I  would  do  in  your  case." 

"  I  wish  you  would  advise  me,  for  I  don't  know 
what  to  do.     I  never  was  in  such  a  situation  before." 

"  It  was  understood  that  your  guardian  would  pay 
your  board  for  the  present,  was  it  not  ?  " 

"  Yes.  He  offered  to  do  it.  I  never  would  have 
asked  him." 

"  You  say  he  left  no  directions  at  the  office  m  re- 
gard to  it?  " 


248  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR. 

"  So  the  chief  clerk  told  me." 

"It  is  clear,  then,  that  it  escaped  his  mind  in  the 
hurry  of  an  unexpected  departure.  Probably  he  will 
set  the  matter  right  in  his  first  letter.  Wait  a 
minute,  though.  His  wife  and  son  probably  accom- 
panied him  to  the  steamer  to  see  him  off." 

"  I  suppose  so." 

ti  Very  likely  he  spoke  to  them  about  it.  I  advise 
you  to  call  on  them  and  inquire." 

Gilbert  looked  reluctant. 

"  It  may  be  as  you  say,"  said  he ;  ''  but  I  don't  like 
to  speak  to  Mrs.  Briggs  on  the  subject.  She  dislikes 
me,  and  so  I  think  does  Randolph,  though  not  so 
much  as  his  mother." 

"  So  you  have  told  me  ;  still  I  advise  you  to  call, 
the  sooner  the  better,  in  my  opinion." 

"  Suppose  I  get  no  satisfaction  ?  " 

"  In  that  case  you  will  know  what  to  look  forward 
to.  If  you  are  thrown  upon  your  own  resources,  you 
can  lay  your  plans  accordingly." 

"  I  should  like  to  know  the  worst,  at  any  rate,'' 
said  Gilbert,  thoughtfully. 


GILBERT   GREYSON'^S  FORTUNES.  249 

*'  Then  take  my  advice,  and  call  this  evening  on 
Mrs.  Brio-fTs.'' 

'^  I  will,"  said  Gilbert;  ^'  but  I  would  rather  have 
a  tooth  out." 


250  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   02J, 


CHAPTER  XXVm. 

AN  UNSATISFACTORY  CALL. 

Mr.  Ingalls  was  right  in  his  conjecture.  On 
board  the  steamer  Mr.  Brio;f>;s  had  thouf>;ht  of  his 
young  ward,  and  was  rather  annoyed  that  he  had  not 
left  directions  at  the  office  that  he  should  be  paid  his 
regular  weekly  stipend. 

'^  There  is  one  thing  which  I  have  forgotten,"  he 
said  to  his  wife. 

"What  is  it? "  she  inquired. 

"  Gilbert  has  been  in  the  habit  of  coming  to  me 
every  week  for  his  board.  I  ought  to  have  left  direc- 
tions at  the  office  with  Seymour  to  pay  him  in  my 
place." 

He  forgot  that  Mrs.  Briggs  was  not  aware  of  this 
arrangement.  She  was  not  slow  in  expressing  her 
dissatisfaction. 


GILBERT  GRETSON's  FORTUNES.  251 

*'You  don't  mean  to  say  that  that  boy  lives  on 
you  ! "  she  exclaimed. 

"  I  pay  his  board,  if  that  is  what  you  mean  by 
livino;  on  me." 

''  That  is  what  it  amounts  to.     Why  permit  this  ?  " 

*'  Surely,  you  don't  expect  that  Gilbert  will  pay 
all  his  expenses  out  of  five  dollars  a  week,"  said  her 
husband. 

'•  Why  can't  he  get  along  as  well  as  other  boys?  " 

''Other  boys  have  no  friends  able  to  help  them. 
Gilbert's  father  was  my  friend,  and  I  mean  to  stand 
by  him." 

" How  much  do  you  allow  him  for  board?  " 

"  Six  dollars  a  week." 

''  Can't  he  get  boarded  cheaper?  " 

"It  seems  to  me  that  six  dollars  is  very  cheap. 
You  remember  that  I  spent  a  hundred  dollars  a  week 
for  you  and  Randolph  and  myself  at  Saratoga  one 
season.     That  is  about  thirty-three  dollars  apiece." 

'•There  is  no  resemblance  in  the  two  rases,"  said 
Mrs.  Briggs,  coldly.  "Gilbert  Greyson  is  only  a 
working-boy." 


252  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  And  I  am  a  working-man." 

"  Don't  talk  foolishly,  Mr.  Briggs,"  said  his  wifOj 
sharply. 

"  I  have  not  much  time  to  talk  foolishly  or  other- 
wise. Will  you  attend  to  this  matter  of  Gilbert's 
board?" 

*'I  will  attend  to  it,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs. 

"Then  there  will  be  no  need  of  my  writing  to  the 
office." 

''  No,  there  will  be  no  occasion  to  trouble  yourself 
further  in  the  matter," 

On  this  assurance  Mr.  Briggs  di^smissed  Gilbert 
from  his  mind,  and  shortly  afterwards  bade  good-by 
to  his  wife  and  son. 

"  I  sometimes  think  your  father  is  actually  soft," 
said  Mrs.  Briggs  to  Bandolph,  on  the  way  over  the 
ferry.  "What claim  has  that  Greyson  boy  upon  him. 
that  he  should  squander  six  dollars  a  week  upon  him? 
And  that  isn't  all,  I  presume.  I  have  no  dou1)t  the 
boy  manages  to  coax  extra  money  out  of  him  almost 
every  week." 


GILBERT  GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  253 

"He  won't  get  it  out  of  you,  mother,"  said  Ran- 
dolph. 

"I  should  say  not,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  very  em- 
phatically. "  I  should  feel  that  I  was  robbing  you. 
If  your  father  impoverishes  himself  by  such  ill-timed 
liberality,  you  will  be  the  sufferer." 

"  I  didn't  think  of  that,"  said  Randolph,  soberly. 

"I  don't,  of  course,  wish  to  be  mean  or  parsi- 
monious," continued  Mrs.  Briggs,  "but  I  hold  that  a 
man's  first  duty  is  to  his  own  family." 

"  Of  course  it  is,"  said  Randolph,  who  felt  confi- 
dent of  it  now  that  he  saw  the  bearing  upon  his  own 
interests. 

"Will  you  give  Gilbert  the  six  dollars  a  week?" 
he  inquired. 

"Not  unless  he  asks  for  it"  said  Mrs.  Brio^org. 
"If  he  doesn't  need  it  there  will  be  no  occasion  to 
ofier  it." 

"If  he  don't  ask  for  it,  will  you  give  it  to  me?" 
asked  Randolph. 

"You  have  an  allowance  of  five  dollars  a  week 
now.     It  seems  to  me  that  ought  to  be  sufiicient." 


254  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;   OR 

"  I  can't  save  anything  from  it.  If  you  give  me 
the  six  dollars  beside,  I'll  put  some  in  the  savings 
bank.*' 

''  I  will  wait  and  see  whether  the  boy  calls  for  it." 

^'I  hope  he  won't." 

''He  probably  will.  He'll  take  all  he  can  get. 
That  is  his  nature." 

Mrs.  Briggs  quite  misread  Gilbert,  as  my  readers 
will  probably  judge;  but  she  was  too  prejudiced  to 
judge  him  fairly. 

Randolph  was  not  as  mean  as  his  mother.  He  had 
a  little  of  his  father's  nature,  though  he  was  more  like 
his  mother.  The  thought  that  it  would  impair  his 
future  inheritance  did  not  much  affect  him,  but  the 
prospect  of  having  his  allowance  so  largely  increased 
took  away  all  consideration  for  Gilbert.  He  cared 
very  little  whether  our  hero  was  able  to  pay  his  board 
or  not,  if  only  the  money  might  be  paid  to  him.  He 
was  very  selfish  certainly ;  but  he  loved  money  for 
what  it  would  buy,  and  not  for  its  own  sake,  as  was 
the  case  with  his  mother.  Of  course  he  hoped  that 
Gilbert  would  not  present  himself  at  the  house,  or 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  255 

make  inquiry  for  the  money;  but  in  this  he  waa 
destined  to  be  disappointed. 

Sitting  at  the  window  on  the  evening  Gilbert  had 
resolved  to  call,  he  saw,  not  without  disappointment, 
our  hero  mount  the  steps  and  ring  the  bell. 

"He's  come,  mother,"  said  he,  in  a  tone  of  regret. 

"Who  has  come?  " 

"  Gilbert  Greyson.  I  suppose  he  has  come  for  his 
six  dollars." 

"  I  suppose  he  has,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  with  a  curl 
of  the  lip.  "I  knew  he  wouldn't  keep  away  long. 
Now,  Randolph,  one  thing  I  ask,  —  don't  say  a  word 
about  the  matter.  I  want  to  make  him  introduce  the 
subject  himself.  I  don't  wish  to  spare  him  any  em- 
barrassment." 

"All  right,  mother." 

Directly  the  door  opened,  and  Gilbert  entered. 

"Good-evening,  Mrs.  Briggs,"  he  said,  approaching 
and  taking  the  lady's  hand.  She  just  touched  his 
hand  coldly,  and  withdrew  hers. 

"  Good-evening,"  she  said,  briefly. 


256  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;   OE, 

"  Good-eveningj  Handolph,"  said  Gilbert,  turning 
to  the  younger  member  of  the  party. 

"  Good-evening,"  said  Randolph,  less  frigidly. 
''Have  you  got  a  place  yet?" 

''  Not  yet-  My  employer  has  not  returned  from 
Washington." 

"  Probably  it  will  make  very  little  diiFerence  to  you 
how  long  he  stays,"  said  Mrs,  Briggs,  disagreeably. 

"I  hope  it  will  make  considerable,"  returned  Gil- 
bert. ''  I  was  surprised  to  hear  that  Mr.  Briggs  had 
gone  to  Europe." 

"He  went  very  suddenly,"  said 'Randolph.  "It 
has  put  off  my  birthday  party." 

"I  should  like  to  have  seen  him  before  he  went,'* 
said  Gilbert. 

"  He  had  no  time  to  notify  all  his  acquaintances 
that  he  was  going,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs. 

"  How  long  will  he  be  gone  ?  " 

"It  is  quite  uncertain,"  said  the  lady,  shortly. 
"  It  will  depend  on  his  business,  of  course." 

"I  wish  this  visit  were  well  over,"  thought  Gilbert, 


GILBERT  GHEYSON's  FORTUNES.  257 

but  he  felt  that  he  must  introduce  the  matter  which 
led  to  his  call. 

"  Did  Mr.  Briggs  leave  any  message  for  me?  "  he 
inquired. 

"Any  message  for  jou?"  repeated  Mrs.  Briggs, 
arching  her  eyebrows.  "  Why  should  you  expect 
that  he  would  leave  any  message  for  you?" 

"Perhaps  you  are  not  aware,"  said  Gilbert,  uncom- 
fortably, "that  Mr.  Briggs,  while  I  am  at  work  on 
small  wages,  has  been  in  the  habit  of  paying  my 
board." 

"Indeed!  "  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  in  apparent  surprise. 
"  Why  should  he  do  that  ?  " 

"  Out  of  friendship  for  my  father,  he  told  me,"  said 
Gilbert. 

"I  should  hardly  have  supposed  that  you  w^ould 
retjuest  such  a  thing  of  one  not  related  to  you." 

"  I    didn't    request    it,"    said    Gilbert,    coloring. 

"  Mr.  Brin;o;s  was  kind  enouo;h  to  offer  to  do  it.     I 

accepted,  on  condition  that  I  might  hereafter  repay 

him  what  money  he  should  advance." 
17 


258         SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

*'  It  is  not  very  likely  the  money  will  ever  be 
repaid,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  coldly. 

"It  will  be  repaid  if  I  live,"  said  Gilbert,  warmly. 

''1  have  heard  such  promises  before,"  said  the  lady, 
contemptuously.  "  They  are  generally  made  to  be 
broken." 

"  Not  in  my  case,"  said  Gilbert,  flushing. 

''  I  will  not  discuss  the  matter,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs, 
coldly.  "  May  I  ask  why  you  have  introduced  this 
subject?" 

"  Mr.  Briggs  gave  me  no  notice  that  he  intended  to 
withdraw  his  assistance,  and  I  accordingly  went  to  the 
office  yesterday,  only  to  learn  that  he  had  gone  to 
Europe,  and  left  no  message  there.  I  thought  he 
might  possibly  have  spoken  to  you  on  the  subject,  and 
therefore  I  called.  My  board-bill,  amounting  to  six 
dollars,  is  due  to-night,  and  unfortunately  I  have  no 
funds  to  meet  it." 

"  It  must  be  rather  humiliating  for  you  to  accept 
charity,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs.  ''I  don't  think  my  son 
would  be  willing  to  do  it." 

"  I  should  say  not,"  said  Randolph, 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S  FORTUNES.  259 

"  Say  nothing  more,  Mrs.  Briggs,''  said  Gilbert, 
rising.  ''If  you  regard  it  in  that  light,  I  wish  no 
assistance  " 

"I  don't  wish  jou  to  suffer,"  continued  Mrs. 
Briggs,  coldly.  "  I  will  give  you  money  for  your 
board-bill,  if  you  will  tell  me  how  much  it  amounts 
to." 

"Thank  you,  I  won't  trouble  you,"  said  Gilbert. 
•'I  shall  get  along  somehow.     Good-evening." 

"  You  are  impetuous.  You  will  bear  in  mind  that 
I  have  not  refused  you  the  money." 

"  I  will  bear  it  in  mind.     Good-evening,  madam." 

"You  did  it  well,  mother,"  said  Randolph,  admir- 
ingly, as  our  hero  left  the  house.  "  Will  you  give 
me  the  six  dollars,  now  he  has  refused  it?  " 

"I  will  give  it  to  you  this  week,  Randolph;  but 
mind,  I  make  no  promises  for  the  future." 

"I  guess  it's  all  right,"  thought  Randolph,  pocket- 
ing the  bills  complacently.  "  I'll  take  care  she  keeps 
it  up." 


260  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    ORy 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

gilbert's  plans. 

Gilbert  left  the  house  of  Mrs.  Brio;f!i;s,  not  cast 
down,  but  with  a  full  understanding  of  his  situation. 
Until  now  he  had  had  his  guardian's  assistance,  and, 
with  the  income  from  his  position  as  office-boy,  had 
felt  no  anxiety.  Now,  both  had  failed  him,  for  the 
time  at  least,  and  he  must  shift  for  himself.  Disaster 
develops  the  manhood  in  a  boy  as  well  as  a  man.  So 
Gilbert  did  not  indulge  in  any  gloomy  anticipations  of 
starvation  or  pauperism.  He  never  for  a  moment 
regretted  his  refusal  to  take  money  from  Mrs.  Briggs, 
offered  as  it  had  been  in  such  a  manner  as  to  insult 
his  self-respect. 

"I'd  rather  live  on  one  meal  a  day,"  he  said 
to  himself  stoutly,  ''than  humble  myself  to  that 
woman." 


GILBERT   GREY  son's  FORTUNES.  261 

When  he  re-entered  his  room  he  found  his  room- 
mate reading. 

"Well,  Gilbert,"  he  said,  ''did  you  have  a  pleasant 
call?" 

''So  pleasant  that  I  shall  not  call  again  in  a 
hurry,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"  Then  Mrs.  Briggs  won't  give  you  any  assistance?" 

"  Yes ;  but  I  have  rejected  it." 

Mr.  Ingalls  looked  surprised. 

"  Did  you  not  act  unwisely?  "    he  asked. 

"  Let  me  tell  you  just  what  passed  between  us,  and 
you  shall  judge." 

The  young  man  listened  attentively.  When  Gil- 
bert had  finished  his  story,  he  said,  emphatically, 
"  You  did  just  right.  I  should  have  done  the  same 
thing  in  your  circumstances." 

"  I  am  glad  you  approve  of  my  action.  I  couldn't 
stoop  to  take  money  offered  as  charity." 

"  Then  you  have  got  to  strike  out  for  yourself,  it 
seems?" 

"  Yes,  and  I  must  settle  to-night  what  I  shall  do." 

"  Have  you  made  up  your  mind  to  anything  ?  " 


262  SniFTING   FOR   himself;    OJi, 

^'  I  was  thinking  about  that  as  I  walked  home.  To 
begin  with,  I  will  borrow  money  of  you  to  pay  Mrs. 
White,  if  you  are  still  willing  to  lend  it." 

"  I  will  lend  it  to  you  with  pleasure." 

'^I  think  I  had  better  leave  this  house,  obtain  a 
cheaper  room,  and  board  at  a  restaurant." 

''  I  don't  think  you  can  save  much  that  way.  Mrs. 
White  is  very  reasonable  in  her  charges." 

*'  I  know  that,  but  the  probability  is  that  I  can't 
pay  her.  1  must  be  strictly  economical.  I  am'  not 
sure  but  the  best  thing  I  can  do  is  to  go  to  the  News- 
boys' Lodge." 

Mr.  Ingalls  shook  his  head. 

''  It  would  never  do,"  he  said.  "  It  would  not  suit 
a  boy  brought  up  as  you  have  been." 

^' I  don't  suppose  it  would;  but  I  don't  expect  to 
suit  myself  That  is  not  the  question  with  me.  I 
must  do  as  I  can." 

'^  Then  stay  here.  If  you  can't  pay  your  whole 
board  at  the  week's  end  I  will  make  up  the  balance. 
I  should  have  to  pay  more,  at  any  rate,  if  I  occupied 
the  room  alone." 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  263 

Gilbert  reflected  a  moment. 

*'  You  are  very  kind,  Mr.  Ingalls,"  he  said,  "  and  I 
will  accept  your  ofier,  on  one  condition." 

''What  is  that?" 

"  That  you  lend  me  the  money,  and  I  will  repay  it 
as  soon  as  I  am  able." 

"  I  agree  to  that." 

''  Then  I  will  stay,  for  a  week  or  two  at  least. 
Now  1  want  to  ask  your  advice.  I  must  find  some- 
thin  2;  to  do  at  once." 

''  I  wish  there  was  a  vacancy  in  our  establishment." 

"  I  only  want  temporary  employment.  I  expect 
Mr.  Sands  will  take  me  back  on  his  return," 

*'I  didn't  think  of  that.  Have  you  thought  of 
anything  ?  " 

''  I  am  going  to  try  my  luck  as  a  newsboy." 

"As  a  newsboy !  What  will  your  friends,  the 
Vivians,  say?" 

"  I  don'tknow,  and  I  can't  afford  to  care.  I  must  get 
a  living  somehow  for  the  next  few  days,  and  I  would 
mther  sell  papers  than  black  boots.  In  the  afternoon 
I  shall  try  to  get  a  little  baggage-smashing  to  do." 


264  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

'^I  admire  your  pluck,  Gilbert,"  said  Lis  room- 
mate. ''  Not  many  boys,  brought  up  as  you  have 
been,  would  be  willing  to  sell  papers  in  the  streets," 

"  I  don't  pretend  to  like  it,"  said  Gilbert;  "but  I 
would  rather  do  it  than  sponge  on  others,  or  take 
money  flung  at  me  as  alms.  If  you  object  to  rooming 
with  a  common  newsboy,"  he  added,  smiling,  "  I  sup- 
pose I  must  look  for  another  boarding-place." 

"  Wait  till  I  give  you  notice  to  quit,"  said  Ingalls. 
' '  In  the  mean  time  I  will  do  all  I  can  to  encourage 
you.  I  will  buy  a  morning  paper  of  you  to-morrow 
morning.     Where  shall  you  stand?  "  *■ 

"  Near  the  '  Times'  building,  I  think.  Don't  for- 
get your  promise  now.  If  I  have  one  customer 
engaged  I  shall  sleep  more  soundly." 

"  You  can  rely  upon  me.  Have  you  got  money 
enough  to  start  yourself  in  business?  If  not,  com- 
mand my  purse." 

"  I  will  borrow  fifty  cents,  to  make  sure  that  I  have 
enough.     Now,  as  I  must  be  up  betimes  and  take  an 

» 

early  breakfast,  I  think  I  will  turn  in." 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  265 

"  Good-night,  then.  I  will  staj  up  and  read 
awhile  longer." 

"  He's  a  pluck  J  boy,"  thought  the  young  man. 
''He  deserves  to  succeed,  and  I  believe  he  will." 


266  SHIFTING  FOB  HIMSELF;   OR, 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

GILBERT  BECOMES  A   NEWSBOY. 

At  an  early  hour  the  next  morning  Gilbert  took 
his  stand  near  the  office  of  the  dailj  "  Times."  He 
attracted  immediate  attention  from  the  members  of  the 
new  profession  in  which  he  had  enrolled  himself  with- 
out permission. 

''  What  are  you  doin'  here  ?  "  asked  Jim  Noonan, 
a  tall  newsboy,  with  red  hair  and  freckled  face. 

"  I  am  selling  papers,"  answered  Gilbert,  quietly. 

''What  business  have  you  here  anyhow?  That's 
my  place." 

"  I  shall  not  interfere  with  you." 

"You'd  better  not,"  said  Jim,  pugnaciously,  under 
the  impression  that  Gilbert  was  apologizing.  "  Just 
you  leave  here  !  " 

Gilbert  eyed  him  quietly. 

*'I  shall  not  interfere  with  you,"  he  repeated;  "nor 


GILBERT   GRETSONS  FORTUNES.  267 

will  I  allow  jou  to  interfere  with  me,"  he  added, 
firmly. 

Jim  looked  at  him  attentively,  and  his  opinion  of 
him  was  somewhat  altered. 

"What  does  a  boy  with  good  clothes  want  selling 
papers?"  he  asked. 

"He  wants  to  make  a  living,"  said  Gilbert. 
"Paper,  sir?" 

The  man  addressed  purchased  a  four-cent  paper. 
Gilbert  made  change  in  a  business-like  manner,  and 
directly  afterwards  sold  another,  while  Jim  Noonan 
looked  on  enviously. 

"I've  a  good  mind  to  bust  your  head,"  he  said, 
angrily. 

"  Better  go  to  work  and  look  for  customers,"  sug- 
gested Gilbert,  coolly. 

Jim  eyed  him  with  angry  discontent.  He  would 
like  to  have  pitched  into  him,  but  Gilbert  was  com- 
pactly made,  and,  though  smaller  than  his  fellow- 
newsboy,  looked  difficult  to  handle.  Jim  had  hoped 
to  frifrhten  him  :  but  his  success  was  not  encoura^rinoj. 

Gilbert,  on  the  whole,  succeeded  beyond  his  antici- 


268  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

pations.  Probably  his  appearance  was  in  his  favor, 
and  attracted  customers.  But  this  was  not  all.  He 
was  quick  and  alert  in  manner,  and  kept  a  good  look- 
out for  trade. 

"How  many  papers  have  you  sold?"  asked  Jim, 
after  a  while. 

"Fifty,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"  Fifty  !  "   ejaculated  Jim;    "why,  I  aint  sold  but 
twenty."  , 

"You  haven't  attended  to  business  as  closely  as  I 
have." 

"  Ef  it  hadn't  been  for  you  I'd  have  sold  a  good 
many  more." 

"  That  isn't  the  reason.     You  would  have  sold  as 
many  as  I  if  you  had  tried  as  hard." 

"It's  mean,  a  boy  like  you  comin'  down,  and  takin' 
away  a  poor  boy's  business." 

"  I  shan't  sell  papers  any  longer  than  I  have  to.     I 
hope  next  week  to  go  into  something  else." 

Just  then  a  gentleman  inquired  for  a  paper  which 
Gilbert  was  out  of 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  260 

*'  I  think  he's  got  it,"  said  Gilbert,  pointing  to 
Jim,  thereby  obtaining  a  customer  for  the  latter. 

''We  ma  J  as  well  help  each  other,"  said  Gilbert. 
"There's  no  use  in  quarrelling." 

"  Do  you  mean  that?  "  asked  Jim,  doubtfully. 

'•Yes,  I  do." 

'•  You  aint  as  mean  as  I  thought  you  was,"  said 
Jim,  his  dislike  beginning  to  evaporate. 

"I  hope  you'll  stick  to  that  opinion,"  said  Gilbert, 
good-humoredly.  "  When  I  go  out  of  this  business 
I'll  recommend  my  friends  to  patronize  you," 

Thus  far  Gilbert  had  seen  no  one  whom  he  knew. 
That  trial  was  yet  to  come.  I  call  it  a  trial,  because 
Gilbert  was  quite  aware  that  in  becoming  a  newsboy 
he  had  made  a  descent  in  the  social  scale.  lie  had 
taken  the  step  as  a  matter  of  necessity,  and  not  be- 
cause he  liked  it.  He  knew  very  well  how  it  would 
be  regarded  by  his  acquaintances,  and  he  rather 
dreaded  the  expressions  of  surprise  which  it  would 
elicit. 

The  first  acquaintance  to  greet  him  was  Alphonso 
Jones. 


270  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

''Good  graciouSj  Greyson!"  he  exclaimed,  "what 
are  you  doing  here?" 

''  Selling  papers,"  answered  Gilbert,  flushing  a 
little. 

"  I  thought  jou  was  in  a  broker's  office." 

"  So  I  was,  and  hope  to  be  again;  but  j'ast  now  I'm 
out  of  a  place,  so  I've  gone  into  business  on  mj  own 
account." 

''  But,  good  gracious,  how  can  you  sell  papers?" 

"  It's  the  only  thing  that  offered,  and  I  must  earn 
my  living." 

"  Suppose  the  Count  Ernest  de  Montmorency 
should  see  you,  —  what  would  he  say?" 

''  I  hope  he  would  buy  a  paper  of  me,"  returned 
Gilbert,  smiling. 

"And  your  friends,  the  Vivians,  —  they  would  bo 
awfully  shocked." 

"  I  can't  help  it.  I  must  earn  a  living.  AYon't 
you  have  a  paper,  Mr.  Jones?  I've  got  all  the  morn- 
ing papers  —  '  Times,'  '  Tribune,'  '  Herald,'  '  Sun.'  " 

"I'm  afraid  I  haven't  got  any  change,"  said  Al- 
phonso,   whose  large  expenditure  for  clothing   com- 


s=±=S^ 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  271 

pelled  him  to  economize  on  minor  matters.  ''  But, 
really,  now,  you  aint  going  to  keep  the  thing  up,  are 
you  ?  " 

^'  Till  I  get  something  better,"  said  Gilbert^  firmly. 
"  I  hope  that  will  be  soon.     I  don't  like  it  myself.'^ 

"  It's  so  —  so  ungentlemanly  a  business." 

"I  don't  agree  with  you,  Mr.  Jones;  I  think  it 
perfectly  respectable." 

"Oh,  yes,  of  course;  but  it  is  not  high-toned, 
you'll  admit  that." 

'•Perhaps  not,"  said  Gilbert,  with  a  smile.  "I 
don't  pretend  to  be  a  judge  of  what  is  high-toned.  I 
hope  you  won't  cut  my  acquaintance,  Mr.  Jones, 
because  I  am  a  newsboy." 

"Oh,  no,  of  course  not;  but  I  am  afraid  your 
friends,  the  Vivians,  will." 

"I  hope  not,"  said  Gilbert. 

Alphonso  Jones  departed,  and  next  in  order  came 
John,  —  Gilbert's  successor  at  the  broker's. 

"  Oh,  my  eye ! ''  he  exclaimed,  in  genuine  aston- 
ishment; "you  don't  mean  to  say  you've  turned 
newsboy?" 


272  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

*'  Yes,  I  have.     Will  you  buy  a  paper? " 

"Haven't  got  a  cent.  How's  business?"  asked 
John,  Avith  a  grin. 

"  Pretty  good." 

"  Hope  you've  got  a  permanent  situation." 

"I  think  not.  I  don't  expect  to  sell  papers  more 
than  a  week." 

*'  What  are  you  going  to  do  then  ?  " 

"  Going  back  into  the  office." 

"What  office?" 

"Mr.  Sands'  office." 

"  Do  you  think  he'd  take  back  a-^— " 

"Stop  there!"  said  Gilbert,  sternly.  "You 
know  very  Avell  the  charge  against  me  is  false.  For- 
tunately I  am  in  a  position  to  prove  it." 

"  You  are  ?  "   asked  John,  in  alarm. 

"Yes." 

"  How  can  you  prove  it?  " 

'•  I  will  let  you  know  when  the  time  comes." 

John  was  not  disposed  to  continue  the  conversation. 
He  w^alked  back  to  the  office,  and  told  Simon  Moore 
that  Gilbert  was  selling  papers  in  the  square. 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  273 

*'  I  am  glad  his  pride  is  brought  low,"  said  Moore, 
with  satisfaction. 

"But  it  isn't,"  said  John.  "He  is  as  proud  as 
ever.     He  sajs  he  is  coming  back  here." 

"Let  him  talk,"  said  the  book-keeper,  contemptu- 
ously.    "  That  is  all  it  will  amount  to." 

But  John  did  not  feel  quite  certain  of  this. 
18 


274  SHIFTING  FOR  HIMSELF;    OE, 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Gilbert's  second  day. 

•'  How  much  did  you  make  in  your  new  business, 
Gilbert?"  inquired  his  room-mate,  Ingalls,  with  in- 
terest, at  the  close  of  his  first  day's  experience. 

"  Seventy-five  cents,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"  That  is  quite  fair." 

"  I  suppose  it  is  all  I  could  reasonably  expect,  but 
it  won't  pay  my  expenses.  At  that  rate  my  weekly 
income  will  be  but  four  dollars  and  a  half,  while,  as 
you  know,  my  board  amounts  to  six  dollars." 

"  I  will  pay  the  extra  dollar  and  a  half" 

''  You  are  a  true  friend,  Mr.  Ingalls,"  said  Gilbert, 
gratefully,  "  but  that  doesn't  dispose  of  all  my  diffi- 
culties. I  shall  have  no  money  for  washing,  or  to 
purchase  clothing." 

"  But  you  expect  to  get  your  place  back  in  a 
week." 


GILBERT  GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  275 

"  Even  if  I  do,  my  income  will  be  only  five  dollars. 
I  never  supposed  it  was  so  difficult  to  make  a  living 
before." 

'■'■  Wait  and  hope,  Gilbert,"  said  his  room-mate, 
cheerfully.  '' That  is  what  I  had  to  do  when  I  first 
came  to  the  city.  It  was  weeks  before  I  got  anything 
to  do  at  all.  I  got  almost  discouraged.  Finally, 
through  the  influence  of  a  friend,  I  got  a  foothold,  and 
have  been  able  to  live  comfortably  ever  since." 

''  I  won't  get  discouraged  just  yet,  at  any  rate," 
said  Gilbert.  "  I  will  wait  and  see  how  things  come 
out.  If  I  am  forced  to  remain  in  the  paper  business, 
I  must  find  some  way  of  increasing  my  income.  I 
might  combine  a  little  baggage-smashing  with  it." 

"  That's  one  thing  I  like  about  you,  Gilbert," 
said  the  young  man.  "  You  have  no  false  shame,  but 
undertake  whatever  work  you  find  to  do." 

"I  am  not  wholly  without  pride,  Mr.  Ingalls;  but  I 
can't  afford  to  indulge  it.  I  shall  get  out  of  this 
street  business  as  soon  as  I  can." 

"You  are  justified  in  that,  certainly.  It  shows  a 
proper  ambition." 


270  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

The  next  daj  Gilbert  sought  his  chosen  place,  and 
again  proceeded  to  sell  his  stock  of  daily  papers,  with 
about  the  same  measure  of  success. 

At  about  half-past  ten  he  caught  sight  of  a  familiar 
face.  His  own  face  blushed  uncomfortably,  for  Ran- 
dolph Briggs  was  about  the  last  person  he  wished  to 
see,  under  the  circumstances. 

Randolph,  who  was  rather  near-sighted,  did  not 
recognize  him  till  he  was  close  upon  him.  Gilbert 
had  a  momentary  impulse  to  desert  his  post,  and  thus 
escape  the  notice  of  his  unwelcome  acquaintance ;  but 
this  impulse  was  succeeded  by  the  more  manly  resolve 
to  stand  his  ground. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of,"  he  said  to  him- 
self "It  is  Randolph,  or  rather  his  mother,  who 
should  be  ashamed." 

He  was  in  the  act  of  selling  a  "Herald"  when 
Randolph  came  up. 

"  Gilbert  Greyson ! "  exclaimed  Randolph,  in 
amazement. 

"Good-morning,  Randolph,"  said  Gilbert,  quietly. 

"  What  are  you  doing  ?  " 


GILBERT  G  RETS  OK*  S  FORTUNES.  277 

"  Selling  papers,  as  you  see." 

"  You  don't  mean  to  say  you  have  become  a  com- 
mon newsboy?  " 

"  I  don't  know  whether  I  am  a  common  or  uncom- 
mon newsboy,  but  a  newsboy  I  certainly  am,  just  at 
present." 

"  What  induced  you  to  take  up  such  a  business  ?  " 

*'  The  necessity  of  making  a  living." 

"  Why  didn't  you  take  the  money  my  mother 
offered  you  ?  " 

"  Because  she  offered  it  as  charity.  I  don't  accept 
charity." 

"  It  seems  to  me  you  are  poor  and  proud." 

''  I  certainly  am  poor,  and  my  pride  I  hope  is  a 
proper  one." 

''  I  should  be  too  proud  to  sell  papers  in  the  streets," 
said  Randolph,  emphatically. 

"  Perhaps  you  wouldn't  in  my  case.' ' 

"  I  never  expect  to  be  in  your  case." 

''  I  hope  you  won't." 

"You  know,  of  course,  you  will  have  to  give  up 
your  fashionable  acquaintances." 


278  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

''Does  that  mean  jou  and  jou.'  mother?"  in- 
quired Gilbert,  smiling. 

''  Yes,  partly,"  answered  Randolph,  seriously. 
'•^  Then,  tiaere  are  the  Vivians.  You  wouldn't  pre- 
sume to  call  upon  them  now?" 

"Why  not?" 

''  Do  you  suppose  they  admit  newsboys  in  the  list 
of  their  visitors  ?  " 

''  I  don't  know ;  but  I  shall  soon  find  out." 

''How?" 

"  I  mean  to  call  there  very  soon." 

"  I  wouldn't.     You  wouldn't  be  welcome." 

"  How  do  you  know  that?  " 

"It  stands  to  reason,"  argued  Randolph.  "  Tb  / 
stand  very  high  in  the  social  scale,  and  a  newsboy  ia 
very  low." 

"  I  don't  think  the  Vivians  and  you  quite  agree  in 
Bome  matters.  If  I  find  I  am  not  welcome,  you  n  ly 
be  sure  I  won't  repeat  the  call." 

"  You  will  see  I  am  right." 

"  I  suppose,  from  what  you  say,  that  I  shall  not  be 
tvelcome  at  your  house?"  said  Gilbert,  rather  amuied. 


GILBERT   GREYSON's  FORTUNES.  279 

'^  Why,  you  might  call  when  no  one  is  there.  Of 
course,  we  couldn't  introduce  you  to  our  friends." 

''I  think  the  safest  way  will  be  not  to  call  at  all." 

"That's  so,"  said  Randolph,  and  he  walked  on. 

"I  suppose  that  is  the  way  of  the  world,"  thought 
Gilbert.  "  Well,  I  expected  it,  and  so  far  as  Ran- 
dolph and  his  mother  are  concerned  I  shall  not  have 
much  to  regret." 

At  half-past  twelve  he  stood  with  his  last  paper  in 
his  hand.  They  had  gone  off  more  slowly  than  the 
day  before,  and  he  doubted  whether  he  could  dispose 
of  the  last  one. 

"  Good-morning,  Gilbert,"  said  a  cordial  voice. 
"Are  you  reading  the  paper?" 

"No,  Mr.  Yivian,"  answered  our  hero;  "I  am 
trying  to  sell  it." 

"  What !  Have  you  turned  newsboy  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir.  I  could  think  of  nothing  else  to  do, 
and  I  must  do  something." 

"Was  this  necessary?"  asked  the  merchant,  in  a 
tone  of  sympathy. 


280  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

''Yes,  sir;  I  have  nothing  to  depend  upon,  except 
what  I  make  in  this  way." 

''  You  can't  make  a  living,  can  you?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  not  by  this  alone,"  said  Gilbert. 

"  Have  you  had  lunch  ?  " 

''No,  sir." 

"  Then  come  with  me  to  the  Astor  House  res- 
taurant. There  we  will  talk  over  your  affairs,  and 
perhaps  I  can  suggest  something  that  will  be  more  to 
your  advantage  than  your  present  employment." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  I  shall  feel  very  grateful  for 
your  advice."  *■ 

They  went  to  the  Astor  House,  which  was  very 
near,  and  seated  themselves  at  a  table.  Mr.  Vivian 
ordered  a  substantial  lunch,  considerably  better  than 
Gilbert  could  have  afforded  on  his  own  account.  In 
fact,  he  had  decided  to  content  himself  with  an  apple, 
and  make  that  do  till  the  six-o'clock  dinner  at  his 
boarding-house. 


GILBERT   GRETSON^S   FORTUNES.  281 


CHAPTER  XXXn. 

A   NOVEL    PROPOSITION. 

A  LIBERAL  lunch  was  ordered,  and  placed  before 
them. 

"My  time  is  limited,"  said  Mr.  Vivian,  "and  we 
will  economize  it  by  discussing  lunch  and  your  affairs 
at  the  same  time.     How  much  do  you  pay  for  board?  " 

"  Six  dollars  a  week,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"  That  is  very  little,"  said  the  merchant. 

"  I  room  with  another  person,  and  thus  secure  more 
favorable  terms." 

"  Are  your  meals  satisfactory?  " 

"  The  food  is  plain,  but  good.  I  have  nothing  to 
complain  of  I  should  like  nothing  better  than  to 
feel  sure  that  I  could  continue  to  pay  my  expenses 
at  this  rate." 

•'That  is  well,"  said  Mr.  Vivian,  approvingly.  "I 
like  your  spirit.     You  are  not  disposed  to  find   un- 


282  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

necessary  fault.     Then  jou  cannot  make  six  dollars 
a  week  by  selling  papers? " 

''No,  sir;  at  least,  I  have  not  done  so  thus  far. 
Yesterday  I  made  seventy  cents,  and  to-day  about  the 
same  sum." 

''  That  will  never  do.  It  leaves  you  nothing  for 
washing  or  clothes." 

''  No,  sir.  However,  I  am  pretty  well  provided 
with  clothes.  I  don't  expect  to  require  anything  in 
that  line  for  six  months." 

''  Probably  you  couldn't  put  off  washing  for  so 
long,"  suggested  ]^Jr.  Vivian,  with  a' smile. 

''  Hardly,"  answered  Gilbert. 

''  Before  you  came  to  the  city/'  said  Mr.  Vivian, 
apparently  changing  the  subject,  ''you  were  studying 
for  college,  were  you  not?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  How  far  had  you  proceeded?  " 

"  By  next  summer  I  could  easily  have  been  ready 
to  enter  Yale  College ;  if  necessary,  earlier." 

"  Then  you  must  be  a  good  classical  scholar 
already." 


GILBERT  GREY  son's  FORTUNES.  283 

*'  A  fair  one,"  said  Gilbert,  modestly. 

"  Did  jou  ever  think  of  teaching?" 

Gilbert  looked  surprised. 

"  I  don't  know  who  would  employ  a  boy  like  me," 
he  said. 

''  You  would  be  competent  to  instruct  a  beginner  in 
Latin  and  the  common  English  studies,  I  suppose?  " 

''  I  ought  to  be,  sir." 

"  Then  I  will  tell  you  an  idea  I  have  had  in  mind 
for  a  week  or  more.  My  boy  Fred  is  attending  a 
classical  school,  but  his  progress  is  not  satisfactory  to 
me.  I  don't  think  him  lacking  in  capacity,  but  he 
does  not  apply  himself  as  he  ought.  It  has  occurred 
to  me  that  assistance  in  the  evening  would  materially 
aid  him,  and  promote  his  standing  in  school.  Ex- 
cept in  Latin  I  could  myself  assist  him,  but  after  the 
business  and  perplexities  of  the  day  I  am  in  no  mood 
to  turn  teacher.  Now,  you  are  competent,  and  Fred 
has  taken  a  fancy  to  you.  Are  you  willing  to  give 
him  five  evenings  a  week?  " 

"  Nothing  would  suit  me  better,  sir,"  said  Gilbert, 


284  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oil, 

quick! J.  ''  I  like  Fred,  and  would  do  mj  best  to  be 
of  service  to  him." 

Mr.  Yivian  looked  pleased. 

''  Then  J"  he  said,  "I  see  no  reason  why  we  should 
not  try  the  experiment.  The  only  thing  remaining  to 
be  discussed  is  the  compensation." 

''  I  leave  that  to  you,  sir." 

''  I  may  take  advantage  of  your  confidence,"  said 
the  merchant. 

''  I  don't  feel  alarmed,"  said  Gilbert,  smiling. 

"Suppose,  then,  we  say  ten  dollars  a  week  for  five 
evenings." 

"  Ten  dollars  !  "  exclaimed  Gilbert,  in  amazement. 

"  If  that  is  not  adequate  —  " 

"  Why,  Mr.  Vivian,  my  services  would  never  be 
worth  ten  dollars  a  week.  Remember,  sir,  I  am  only 
a  boy,  and  inexperienced  as  a  teacher." 

"I  believe  you  will  do  Fred  more  good  than  an 
older  and  more  experienced  teacher.  He  takes  to 
you,  and  will  work  cheerfully  with  you,  while  I 
don't  think  he  would  with  the  other." 


GILBERT   GREYSON's   FORTUNES.  285 

''  But  ten  dollars  a  week  is  a  large  sum  for  you 
to  pay,  Mr.  Vivian." 

"  I  believe  in  paying  a  good  pricCj  and  requiring 
good,  faithful  work,  such  as  I  think  you  will  render." 

"  I  will  try  to  render  it,  at  any  rate,  sir." 

"  Then  it  is  a  bargain,  is  it?  " 

"Yes,  sir,  if  you  say  so.  I  need  not  say  that  it 
will  be  a  very  great  help  to  me." 

"I  know  that,  Gilbert;  and  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to 
serve  you,  at  the  same  time  that  I  serve  myself. 
When  I  was  a  boy  I  was  in  limited  circumstances. 
The  memory  of  my  own  past  makes  me  considerate 
of  others.     Now,  when  will  you  begin?" 

"This  evening,  if  you  like." 

''I  should  like  it.  We  will  expect  you  then. 
Here  is  a  week's  pay  in  advance." 

Mr.  Vivian  took  from  his  pocket-book  a  ten-dollar 
bill  and  placed  it  in  Gilbert's  hands. 

"Under  the  circumstances,"  he  said,  "you  may  as 
well  give  up  selling  papers." 

"  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  give  it  up,  sir,  and  now  I 
shall  feel  able  to  do  so." 


286  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OiJ, 

"  I  appreciate  and  respect  your  motives  in  doing 
what  jou  could  find  to  do,  but  now  you  are  a  teacher, 
—  a  classical  professor,  —  and  must  do  nothing  in- 
compatible with  the  dignity  of  your  learned  pro- 
fession.*' 

"I  will  try  to  remember  it,  sir." 

''  I  must  leave  you  now.     Let  us  see  you  this 


evening." 


''  I  will  be  sure  to  come,  sir." 

When  Gilbert  left  the  hotel,  he  felt  elated  at  his 
unexpected  good  fortune. 

''  i  believe  the  tide  has  turned,"  he  said  to  himself 
''I  little  dreamed  that  my  Latin  would  prove  such  a 
friend  in  need.  I  can't  expect  to  earn  the  liberal  sum 
Mr.  Vivian  has  agreed  to  pay  me,  but  I  will  do  my 
duty  as  faithfully  and  well  as  I  can." 

Just  after  dinner  that  evening  Alplionso  Jones 
strolled  into  Gilbert's  room. 

"  How  is  the  newspaper  business?  "  he  inquired 

"Pretty  fair,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"I  think  we  ought  to  patronize  Mr.  Greyson,  eh, 
Mr.  Ingalls?" 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  287 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Jones,  but  I  have  retired  from 
the  business." 

"  You  don't  say  !      Why,  you  told  me  it  was  fair." 

"  I  shall  retire  nevertheless." 

"  Have  you  found  another  place  ?  " 

"  I  liave  obtained  another  position." 

"  You  have  !     What  is  it  ?  " 

*' Professor  of  the  Classics  and  English  Literature." 

"You're  joking,"  remarked  Alphonso,  rather  be- 
wildered. 

"  No,  I  am  not.  I  have  been  engaged  to  teach 
five  evenings  in  the  week." 

"  I  didn't  know  you  were  such  a  scholar,"  said  Mr. 
Jones,  surprised.     "  Do  they  pay  you  much?" 

"  Two  dollars  an  evening." 

"  Good  gracious!     That  is  splendid  pay." 

"  Y'^es,  it  is  very  good  pay." 

"  Where  are  you  to  teach  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Vivian's  son." 

"He  don't  know  that  you  have  been  a  newsboy, 
does  he?" 


288  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oli, 

*'Yes,  he  does;  he  saw  me  selling  papers  in  the 
street  to-daj." 

"  Well,  Grey  son,  all  I  can  say  is,  you  are  the 
luckiest  boy  I  ever  knew.  I  wish  I  could  earn  two 
dollars  an  evening." 

"I'll  try  to  get  you  a  chance,"  said  Gilbert, 
demurely.     "  What  can  you  teach  ?  " 

"Well,  I  aint  very  fresh  in  my  studies,"  said 
Alphonso.  "  I  guess  it  wouldn't  be  of  any  use. 
Aint  you  going  to  work  in  the  daytime  ?  " 

"I  shall  get  back  into  the  broker's  office  if  I 
can."  f 

"  Then  you  will  have  quite  an  income  for  a  boy, 
Gilbert,"  said  Mr.  Ingalls. 

"  Don't  you  think  you  could  take  me  up  and  in- 
troduce me  to  the  Vivians  some  evening  ?  "  insinuated 
Alphonso. 

"  I  don't  think  I  could,  Mr.  Jones." 

"  Oh!  it's  of  no  consequence,"  said  Alphonso,  with 
apparent  indifference.  "  I  have  any  quantity  of  high- 
toned  friends  who  move  in  the  first  circles.     Some  of 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  289 

them  know  the  Vivians,  and  that's  why  I  wanted  to 

be  introduced." 

''I  wonder  if  that  fellow  expects  to  be  believed," 

said  Mr.  Ingalls,  after  Alphonso  had  retired. 
19 


290  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 


CHAPTER  XXXm. 

THE   NEW   PROFESSOR. 

Fred  Vivian  had  not  been  informed  of  the  plan 
"which  his  father  had  in  view  for  him.  Mr.  Vivian, 
however,  felt  confident  that  it  would  be  agreeable  to 
his  son,  and  did  not  wish  to  speak  of  it  until  he  had 
ascertained  Gilbert's  willingness. 

At  dinner,  after  the  interview  described  in  the  last 
chapter,  Mr.  Vivian  for  the  first  time  mentioned  the 
matter. 

"What  lessons  have  jou  to-night,  Fred?"  he 
asked. 

"  I  have  my  Latin,  and  some  hard  sums  in  Reduc- 
tion." 

"  How  are  you  getting  on  in  Latin  ?  " 

"I  wish  you  would  let  me  give  it  up,  father,"  said 
Fred,  earnestly.  '^  I  believe  it  was  only  got  up  to 
trouble  school-boys.'' 


GILBEUT   GHEYSOn'S   FORTUNES.  291 

"I  suppose,"  said  his  father,  smiling,  "  jou  think 
Caesar,  Virgil,  and  Cicero  only  wrote  with  the  same 
pm-pose." 

"  Confound  them  !  Why  couldn't  they  write  in 
English  ? '"'  said  Fred,  petulantly. 

All  at  the  table  laughed,  and  finally  Fred  himself 
joined  in. 

' '  I  suspect  the  Roman  boys  would  have  found  as 
much  trouble  with  English  as  you  find  with  Latin," 
said  Mr.  Vivian.  ''As  a  fact,  there  was  no  such 
lancruacre  in  existence  then  as  our  modern  Eno-lish 
tongue." 

"  I  wish  Latin  were  as  easy  as  English,"  said 
Fred. 

''  No  doubt  it  is.  Foreimers  find  our  lano;uao;e 
very  difficult." 

"Difficult!  I  don't  see  what  there  is  difficult 
about  it." 

"  Because  it  is  your  native  language.  Roman  boys 
would  have  been  equally  surprised  at  any  one  finding 
Latin  difficult." 


2D 2  sniF'iixG  FOR  himself;  or^ 

"  I  ^Yisll  I  "was  a  Roman  boj,  then.  Laura,  -vvill 
you  help  me  about  my  sums  ?  " 

''  I  have  got  my  own  lessons  to  prepare,  Fred." 

''  Will  you  help  me,  father?  " 

"  I  like  to  have  my  evenings  to  myself,  Fred. 
Ilowever,  don't  look  disa^jpointed.  You  shall  have 
help." 

'•  AVho  will  help  me?     Lam-a  says  she  can't." 

"  I  have  engaged  a  professor  to  come  here  every 
evening,  and  assist  you  about  your  lessons." 

"  A  professor  !  "  exclaimed  Fred,  uneasily.  "That 
will  be  as  bad  as  being  at  an  evening  school.  I  would 
rather  get  along  by  myself." 

'^  Just  now  you  wanted  help,"  said  his  father. 

*'I  don't  Avant  a  professor.  He  will  make  me 
work  too  hard." 

"  1  think  you  will  like  him,"  said  Mr.  Vivian. 

"  When  is  he  coming?  " 

''  This  evening.  He  will  be  here  about  eight 
o'clock." 

"  Isn't  this  a  new  plan*^ "  asked  Mi-s.  Vivian. 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  293 

"Don't  you  approve  of  it,  my  clear?"  asked  her 
husband. 

"  I  thought  his  presence  might  be  a  restraint  upon 
us,  unless,  indeed,  Fred  goes  upstairs  with  him." 

"No,  let  me  stiiy  here,"  urged  Fred.  "I  don't 
want  to  go  off  with  that  old  man." 

"  IIow  do  you  know  he  is  an  old  man?  "  inquired 
his  father,  smilnig. 

"I  suppose  he  is." 

"  He  can't  be  considered  so.  In  fict,  he  is  rather 
young." 

"It's  all  the  same,"  said  Fred,  discontentedly.  "I 
suppose  he  is  as  stiff  as  a  poker." 

"  He  did  not  impress  me  so.     "With  his  help  you 

will  get  through  your  lessons  quickly  ;  and  then  you 
can  have  the  rest  of  the  evening  to  yourself" 

"  What  is  his  name?  "  asked  Laura. 

"  I  will  see  if  I  can  find  his  card,"  said  Mr. 
Vivian,  pretending  to  search  his  pockets  in  vain. 
"Never  mind,  I  will  ask  him  when  he  comes." 

"  You  did  not  tell  me  you  thought  of  making  this 
arrangement  for  Fred,"  said  Mrs.  Vivian. 


294  SHIFTING    FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"I  see,"  said  her  husband,  smiling,  "that  you  are 
a  little  in  doubt  as  to  its  expediency.  If  at  the  end 
of  a  week  it  appears  unsatisfactory  I  will  dismiss  the 
professor." 

Fred  was  relieved  by  this  promise.  He  had  already 
formed  in  his  own  mind  an  image  of  the  expected 
teacher,  —  a  tall,  thin  man,  in  a  rusty-black  suit, 
wearing  a  pair  of  iron-bowed  spectacles.  He  had 
seen  the  tutor  of  a  schoolmate  of  his  who  answered 
this  description,  and  hastily  adopted  the  conclusion 
that  most  visiting  tutors  were  like  him. 

At  ten  minutes  of  eight  Gilbert  Grey  son  was 
announced. 

"0  Gilbert,  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you,"  said  Fred; 
"though  I'm  afraid  I  can't  be  with  you  much  this 
evening.' 

"Why  not?"  asked  Gilbert. 

"  Father  has  engaged  a  professor  to  assist  me  in 
my  studies ;  when  you  came  in  I  thought  at  first  it 
was  he." 

Gilbert  read  the  joke  in  Mr.  Vivian's  smiling  face, 
and  determined  to  keep  it  up. 


GILBERT   GEEYSON's   FOATUNES,  295 

*'  What  sort  of  a  teacher  is  he? "  he  asked. 

''I  don't  know.     I  suppose   he's  an  old  fogj  in 
spectacles." 

^'  Don't  you  think  you  shall  like  him?  " 

''Father  says  if  I  don't  he'll  send  him  off  at  the 
end  of  the  week." 

Again   Gilbert   smiled,  and   Mr.   Vivian   laughed 
outright. 

"I  don't  see  what  you  two  are  laughing  about," 
said  Fred. 

''It's  a  good  joke,  Gilbert,  isn't  it?"   said  the 
merchant. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  I  don't  see  any  joke,"  said  Fred. 

"  Nor  I,"  said  Laura. 

"  Perhaps  the  professor  may  be  willing  to  help  you, 
if  you  require  it,  Laura,"  suggested  her  father. 

"If    he   is   such  a  man   as   Fred   expects,"  said 
Laura,  "I  would  rather  get  along  by  myself" 

"It  is  hardly  fair  to  take  a  prejudice  against  a 
person  before  you  see  him,  Laura." 

"I  won't." 


296  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"  For  my  own  part,  I  was  favorably  impressed  by 
wliat  I  saw  of  him." 

''  What  does  he  look  like ?     Is  he  tall? 

''No." 

''Is  he  old?" 

"  No ;  quite  young." 

"  Has  he  whiskers?" 

"  I  didn't  see  any." 

"  Is  he  good-looking  ?  " 

"  That  is  rather  a  delicate  question,  eh,  Gilbert?" 

"Yes,  sir.     I  will  answer  it  for  you.     He  is  not." 

"  What  —  do  you  know  him,  Gilbert?  "  asked  Fred. 

"He  ought  to,"  said  Mr.  Vivian.  "He  has  seen 
him  in  his  looking-glass  every  morning  for  sixteen 
years.  There,  the  secret  is  out.  Fred,  let  me 
formally  introduce  you  to  Professor  Gilbert,  —  the 
teacher  I  have  engaged  for  you." 

"Are  you  really  to  be  my  teacher,  Gilbert?" 
asked  Fred,  delighted. 

"  If  you  conclude  to  keep  me,"  said  our  hero. 
"You  may  decide  to  send  me  adrift  at  the  end  of 
the  week." 


Gilbert  in  a  new   Hole 


GILBERT   GRETSON's   FORTUNES.  297 

"I  said  that  when  I  thought  it  was  somebody  else," 
said  Fred.  ''  Do  jou  think  you  can  show  me  how  to 
do  sums  in  Reduction?  " 

"  I  think  I  can,"  said  Gilbert,  smiling. 

''I  will  get  you  to  help  me  in  Interest,  Gilbert," 
said  Laura. 

''I  thought  you  didn't  want  any  help  from  your 
brother's  teacher,"  said  Mr.  Vivian. 

''  I  didn't  know  who  it  w^as  to  be  then,  papa.  I'm 
glad  you  have  engaged  Gilbert." 

"  There  is  one  more  objection  to  you,  Gilbert," 
said  Mr.  Vivian,  seriously;  "my  wife  thinks  your 
presence  may  be  a  restraint  upon  us.  She  thinks 
you  had  better  retire  with  Fred  to  some  other  part  of 
the  house." 

''  You  have  got  the  joke  upon  me  too,"  said  Mrs. 
Vivian.  ' '  I,  too,  was  quite  in  the  dark  as  to  whom 
you  had  engaged.  We  don't  look  upon  Gilbert  in 
the  lii^ht  of  a  stranger,  but  rather  as  one  of  the 
family." 

'^  Thank  jofx^  Mrs.  Vivian,"  said  our  hero,  grate- 
fully. 


298  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

''Then  it  appears,  Gilbert,  that  you  will  be  allowed 
to  practise  your  vocation  here.  I  would  suggest  that 
a  pair  of  spectacles  would  make  your  appearance 
more  impressive  and  dignified." 

"I  like  you  best  as  you  are,  Gilbert,"  said  Fred, 
putting  his  arm  around  the  neck  of  his  new  tutor. 

"  And  I  too,"  said  Laura. 

"  Then  I  won't  go  to  the  expense  of  spectacles," 
said  Gilbert.     "Shall  we  begin  now,  Fred?" 

Fred  brought  his  arithmetic  and  slate,  and  Gilbert 
explained  the  sums  in  a  familiar  manner,  making 
Fred  do  them  himself. 

''  I  understand  them  first-rate  now,"  said  Fred,  in 
a  tone  of  satisfaction.  "You're  a  bully  teacher, 
Gilbert." 

"Now,  shall  we  take  the  Latin?"  asked  Gilbert. 
"I'll  try  to  be  a  bully  teacher  in  that  also." 

By  nine  o'clock  Fred's  task  was  completed,  and 
Gilbert  transferred  his  attention  to  ^  Laura.  Fifteen 
minutes  were  all  she  required.  The  evening  work 
being  over,  Gilbert  played  at  games  with  his  two 
pupils  till  ten,  then  rose  to  go. 


GILBERT   GBEYSON'S  FORTUNES.  299 

^Tm  so  glad  you're  my  teacher,"  said  Fred. 
'•  Be  sure  to  come  to-morrow  night." 

''I  am  afraid  you  will  get  tired  of  me  after  a 
while,  and  want  to  discharge  me,"  said  Gilbert, 
smiling. 

"  Will  you  promise  to  stay  with  us  till  you  are 
discharged  ?  " 

''Yes,  Fred." 

"  Then  it's  all  right,"  said  Fred,  in  a  tone  of  satis- 
faction. 

Mr.  Vivian  found  that  he  had  done  a  very  popular 
thing  in  engaging  Gilbert,  and  was,  in  consequence, 
pleased  himself 

"Well.  Gilbert,"  said  his  room-mate,  on  his  return, 
"  how  did  your  first  lesson  come  off?  " 

"With  flattering  success.  I  never  earned  money 
more  pleasantly  in  my  life.  My  old  teacher  would 
stare  if  he  should  learn  that  I  had  set  myself  up  as 
a  classical  professor." 

"Your  fortune  has  changed  wonderfully.  From 
a  newsboy  to  professor  is  rather  a  startling  trans- 
formation." 


300  SHIFTING  FOR   HIMSELF;    ORy 

"  Mj  career  as  a  newsboy  is  ended.  I  abandon  the 
field  to  mj  competitors,  and  devote  myself  to  the 
dissemination  of  learnini]!;." 

'' Alphonso  Jones  thinks  you  are  a  very  remarkable 
young  man.     He  told  me  so  to-night." 

''I  can  return  the  compliment,"  said  Gilbert, 
laughing.  "  If  you  caii  change  a  ten-dollar  bill,  Mr. 
Ingalls,  I  will  pay  you  the  six  dollars  advanced  for 
my  board." 

^' You  needn't  be  in  a  hurry,  Gilbert." 

''I  don't  like  to  be  in  debt.  I  can  sleep  better 
when  I  have  paid  up  the  loan." 

I  shall  be  glad  to  lend  you  again  if  you  need  it." 
Thank  you,  Mr.  Ingalls;   but  I  hope  I  shan't 
need  it." 

Early  the  next  morning  Mr.  Sands  reached 
New  York,  having  come  through  by  night  from 
Washington. 


u 


a 


GILBERT  GREYSOM'S  FORTUNES.  301 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


THE   broker's   RETURX. 


About  ten  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  his  arrival, 
JVIr.  Sands  entered  his  office.  He  had  kept  the  run 
of  the  business  through  letters  from  Mr.  Moore,  the 
book-keeper ;  but  the  latter  had  omitted  to  mention 
Gilbert's  dismissal,  and  the  reinstatement  of  John 
as  his  successor. 

Mr.  Sands  was  therefore  surprised  to  see  John  in 
the  office,  "with  his  hat  off. 

''Where  is  Gilbert?  "  he  asked,  abruptly. 

John  looked  confused. 

''He'll  tell  you,"  he  said,  pointing  to  his  cousin. 

"Have  you  dismissed  Gilbert,  Mr.  Moore?" 
demanded  Mr.   Sands,  abruptly. 

Moore,  in  spite  of  his  bravado,  was  a  little  nervous. 
He  was  apprehensive  that  he  would  not  be  able  to 
convince  Mr.  Sands  of  Gilbert's  guilt. 


302  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^  \ 

•'I  was  obliged  to  discharge  him,  I  am  sorry  to 
saj,"  he  answered. 

''Why  did  you  discharge  him,  may  I  inquire?" 
persisted  the  broker. 

Simon  Moore,  himself  of  a  haughty  disposition, 
flushed  at  the  imperative  tone  which  his  employer 
used.  It  chafed  him  especially  to  be  so  addressed 
in  the  presence  of  his  young  cousin. 

''I  don't  suppose  you  wish  to  have  a  thief  in  your 
employ,"  he  answered,  hastily. 

^'  Do  you  charge  Gilbert  Greyson  with  being  a 
thief?  " 

'^  I  do,  sir." 

"  Let  me  know  the  particulars." 

Simon  Moore  rehearsed  the  story,  already  familiar 
to  the  reader,  of  the  ten-dollar  bill  found  in  the 
pocket  of  Gilbert's  overcoat. 

"  Did  he  admit  his  guilt?"  asked  the  broker. 

''Oh,  no,  he  brazened  it  out;  but  the  proofs 
were  overwhelming." 

''  Who  found  the  bill  in  Gilbert's  pocket? " 

"  John." 


GILBERT   GBETSON'S   FORTUNES.  303 

"  Oh  !  "  ejaculated  the  broker,  significantly. 

Simon  Moore's  face  flushed  again. 

"Let  me  explain,"  he  said. 

"  By  all  means ;  that  is  what  I  want." 

''  Only  John,  who  had  come  in  to  make  a  call  on 
me,  and  Gilbert  had  been  here.  One  or  the  other 
must  have  been  the  thief.  I  therefore  asked  Gilbert 
to  search  John,  and  John  to  search  Gilbert.  It 
seemed  to  me  fair.  The  result  showed  who  was 
the  thief" 

"  Upon  this,  you  discharged  Gilbert,  and  engaged 
John." 

"Yes,  sir.  I  needed  a  boy,  and  did  not  dare  to 
employ  Gilbert  lest  there  should  be  further  and  more 
serious  losses.  John  being  present,  and  understand- 
ing the  duties,  I  engaged  him." 

"John  is  your  cousin,  is  he  not,  Mr.  Moore?" 
asked  Mr.  Sands,  quietly. 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  the  book-keeper,  looking  slightly 
embarrassed. 

"  It  was  very  fortunate  for  him  that  he  happened 
to  be  at  the  office  on  that  particular  morning." 


304  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 


^ 


Here  John  thought  it  time  to  introduce  himself 
into  the  conversation. 

"  That's  what  Cousin  Simon  told  me,"  he  said. 

''  If  John  had  not  been  here,  I  should  have  been 
obliged  to  advertise  for  a  boj,''  said  the  book-keeper, 
recovering  his  confidence. 

"Have  you  seen  Gilbert  since?''  inquired  Mr. 
Sands. 

^'  I  have,"  said  John,  grinning. 

^' Where  did  you  see  him?  Do  you  know  if  he 
has  another  situation?" 

''Oh,  yes,"  said  John,  chuckling;  "he's  set  up 
on  his  own  account." 

"  What  do  you  mean?  " 

''  T'other  morning  I  saw  him  selling  papers  near 
the  City  Hall  Park." 

"Humph!" 

Mr.  Sands  said  no  more,  but  set  about  examining  the 
books.      Presently  he  put  on  his  hat  and  went  out. 
•  "  What  do   you   think   he's   going  to  do,   Cousin 
Simon?"   asked  John,  anxiously. 

"  I  guess  the  storm's  blown  over." 


GILBEIiT   GREYSON'S    FORTUNES.  305 

"He  didn't  seem  to  like  it  that  I  was  here." 

''He  don't  have  a  very  high  opinion  of  you;  and 
I  don't  blame  him,"  said  the  book-keeper,  unable  to 
restrain  his  sarcasm,  although  John  was  his  cousin. 

"  Seems  to  me  you're  pretty  hard  on  me,"  said 
John,  aggrieved.  "Do  you  think  he'll  let  me 
stay?" 

"  I  think  he  will,  if  you  do  your  duty." 

"  Oh,  I'll  do  that  fast  enough,"  said  John,  looking 
relieved. 

"  I  advise  you  not  to  let  Mr.  Sands  see  you  with  a 
cigarette  in  your  mouth." 

"Who  told  you  I  smoked  cigarettes?     It's  a  —  " 

"You'd  better  not  finish  the  sentence.  I  saw  you 
last  evening  on  the  street  with  one  in  your  mouth." 

"I  guess  I'll  have  to  be  more  careful,"  said  John 
to  himself     "  Who'd  have  thought  he'd  find  out?" 

"I  was  just  trying  it  to  see  how  it  seemed,"  he 
explained. 

"Well,  you  know  now,  and  you'd  better  give  them 
up,"  said    Simon   Moore.     "  Now,   go   to   the  post- 
office  for  the  mail." 
20 


306  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

On  his  way  home,  in  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Sands  was 
looking  about  for  a  seat  in  the  crowded  car,  when  a 
boy  addressed  him. 

"  Take  my  seat,  Mr.  Sands." 

"Gilbert!"  exclaimed  the  broker,  cordially,  ex- 
tending his  hand.  ''I  have  been  hoping  to  meet 
you." 

"  When  did  you  get  home  from  Washington,  sir?" 

"  This  morning  early.  I  was  surprised  not  to  find 
you  in  your  accustomed  place  in  my  office." 

"I  suppose  Mr.  Moore  explained  my  absence?" 
said  Gilbert. 

"Yes;  but  I  should  prefer  to  hear  your  explana- 
tion.    I  should  have  more  faith  in  its  truth." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Gilbert,  gratefully. 

"It  is  hardly  a  matter  to  talk  about  in  public. 
Have  you  any  engagement  this  afternoon?" 

'  No,  sir." 

"  Then  come  around  to  my  house,  and  take  dinner." 

"What  will  Mr.  Moore  say?"  asked  Gilbert 
smiling. 

"  We  will  see  to-morrow.     Will  you  come  ?  " 


GILBERT  GJiEYSON  S   FORTUNES.  307 

"With  great  pleasure,  Mr.  Sands." 

Mr.  Sands  lived  in  a  pleasant  house  up-to^\^l.  He 
had  a  wife  but  no  children.  His  wife  greeted  Gilbert 
pleasantly. 

"  I  have  heard  my  husband  speak  of  you,"  she 
said. 

Before  dinner  Gilbert  got  a  chance  to  explain 
matters  to  Mr.  Sands. 

"  I  believe  you,"  said  the  broker,  emphatically. 

"  Don't  rely  too  much  upon  my  word,  sir,"  said 
Gilbert.  "I  want  you  to  be  thoroughly  convinced 
of  my  innocence." 

"lam." 

"-Still,  sir,  I  should  like  to  bring  a  street  boy  —  a 
boot-black  —  to  confirm  my  story.  He  saw  John  put 
the  bill  into  my  overcoat  pocket,  when  I  was  out  on 
an  errand." 

"  That  is  important  testimony.  I  trust  your  word 
implicitly ;  but  it  may  be  as  well  to  bring  him  round 
to  the  office,  iu  order  to  confound  those  who  have  got 
up  this  wicked  plot  against  you." 


508  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"He  is  only  a  boot-black/'  said  Gilbert;  "but  I 
think  he  is  trustworthy." 

"I  have  reasons  with  which  you  are  not  acquainted 
for  believing  him  and  you,''  said  the  broker. 

Gilbert  looked  curious,  and  Mr.  Sands  explained. 

"I  was  present  in  an  oyster-saloon,  one  evening, 
before  I  started  for  Washington,  and  overheard  Mr. 
Moore  and  John  expressing  their  intentions  to  get 
you  into  trouble  during  my  absence.  This  w^as  the 
reason  why  I  warned  you  against  the  book-keeper.'" 

' '  I  remember  it,  sir ;  but  I  did  not  know  your 
reasons." 

"  Now,  tell  me  how  you  have  got  along,  being  sud- 
denly deprived  of  your  income.  John  told  me  he 
saw  you  selling  papers  near  City  Hall  Park  one 
day." 

"It  is  true,  sir.  I  could  make  something  that 
way,  and  so  I  tried  it." 

"I  respect  you  the  more  for  it.  Have,  you  kept 
up  this  employment  till  now?" 

"  No.  sir.  Mr.  Vivian  has  engaged  me  as  tutor 
for  his  son,  at  a  salary  of  ten  dollars  per  week." 


GILBERT  GEETSON^S   FORTUNES,  309 

"Is  it  possible?  That  is  remarkable,  considering 
jour  youth." 

"It  was  to  help  me,  sir,  I  have  no  doubt." 

"You  must  be  a  good  scholar." 

"Not  necessarily;  Fred  is  only  just  beginning 
Latin,  and  it  does  not  require  much  learning  to 
teach  him." 

"  If  your  time  is  so  profitably  occupied,  1  suppose 
I  can't  induce  you  to  come  back  into  my  office." 

"I  should  be  very  glad  to  do  so,  sir.  I  only  give 
my  evenings  to  Fred  Vivian." 

"Then  you  may  come  back  to-morrow,  at  a  salary 
of  seven  dollars  a  week." 

' '  You  are  very  kind,  sir.  I  fear  I  shall  not  earn 
so  much." 

'  ^  That  is  my  lookout.  Come  to-morrow,  at  quar- 
ter-past nine.  If  I  am  not  there,  say  nothing  to  Mr. 
Moore  about  resuming  your  situation."' 

"All  right,  sir.-' 

After  dinner  Gilbert  went  to  Mr.  Vivian's,  to 
m(iet  his  pupil. 


310  SHIFTING   FOR  HIMSELF;   OR 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


gilbert's  triumph. 


Shortly  after  the  office  opened  on  the  following 
day,  Simon  Moore  and  John  were  disagreeably  sur- 
prised by  the  entrance  of  Gilbert.  He  had  found 
his  witness,  Tom,  the  boot-black,  and  requested  him 
to  remain  outside,  within  call. 

''What  do  you  want  here?"  demanded  the  book- 
keeper, frowning. 

"  Has  Mr.  Sands  returned  ?  "   asked  our  hero. 

"No,  he  hasn't,"  replied  Moore,  with  unblushing 
falsehood. 

"I  think  you  must  be  mistaken,-'  said  Gilbert, 
composedly;  ''for  I  saw  him  getting  on  a  street-car 
yesterday." 

"  Then  if  you  knew  he  was  at  'home,  why  did  you 
ask  me?" 


GILBERT  GJiEYSON^S   FORTUNES.  311 

Gilbert  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  answer  this 
question. 

"I  will  stop  and  speak  to  him,"  he  said. 

"  No,  jou  won't,"  said  Simon  Moore,  roughly. 
"  I  know  what  you  want.  You  want  to  make  him 
believe  you  are  innocent." 

"  You  are  right,  Mr.  Moore.  I  do  wish  to  con- 
vince him  of  my  innocence." 

"  I  guess  you've  got  cheek,"  put  in  John. 
''Didn't  I  find  the  money  that  was  lost,  in  your 
overcoat  pocket?" 

''Yes." 

"That's  enough,  I  should  say,"  said  the  book- 
keeper, dexterously  availing  himself  of  this  admis- 
sion. "You  are  a  witness,  John,  that  he  has  con- 
fessed the  theft." 

"  If  you  twist  what  I  say  in  that  way,"  said  Gil- 
bert, indignantly,  "  there  is  no  use  in  my  saying 
anything." 

"  That  is  true  enough.  There  is  no  use  in  your 
saying  anything.     Now,  I've  got  something  more  to 


312  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

say.  You've  no  business  in  this  office;  and  the 
sooner  you  clear  out  the  better." 

•'Yes,  the  sooner  you  clear  out  the  better,"  chimed 
in  John.  "  You've  come  here  to  get  away  my  place; 
but  you'd  better  give  up  trying.  Mr.  Sands  is  not 
such  a  fool  as  to  believe  you." 

"Are  you  going?"  demanded  the  book-keeper, 
menacingly.     "  John,  put  him  out." 

John  advanced  cautiously  towards  our  hero,  who 
smiled  unterrified. 

"  Come,  go  out !  —  do  you  hear  ?  "  he  said. 

''  I  won't  put  you  to  the  trouble  of  |)utting  me  out," 
said  Gilbert,  good-naturedly.  ''I'll  step  out  for  the 
present." 

"  And  go  away  from  here,  — do  you  hear?  Don't 
you  hang  around  the  office." 

Gilbert,  however,  did  not  see  fit  to  obey  this  last 
order.  He  waited  in  the  neighborhood  for  Mr.  Sands 
to  arrive. 

"He  means  to  make  trouble.  Cousin  Simon,"  said 
John,  uneasily. 

*'He  would  like  to,  no  doubt,"  responded  the  book- 


GILBERT   GRETSON's   FORTUNES,  313 

keeper  ;  "  but  it  would  be  very  strange  if  Mr.  Sands 
believed  him  against  us." 

"Well,  I  hope  it'll  all  turn  out  right,"  said  John ; 
''but  he's  got  a  lot  of  check  —  that  boy  has.  I 
wish  you'd  had  him  locked  up." 

' '  It  might  have  been  the  best  plan ;  but  I  think  we 
can  carry  things  through.  Don't  you  put  in  your 
oar,  or  you  may  spoil  the  whole  thing.     Leave  it  to 


me." 


''All  right.  Cousin  Simon." 

At  the  corner  of  Wall  and  New  Streets  Gilbert  met 
Mr.  Sands,  who  had  come  down-town,  in  a  Broadway 
stage. 

"  I  see  you  are  on  hand,"  said  the  broker.  "  Have 
you  been  to  the  office  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  What  sort  of  a  reception  did  you  get  from 
Mr.  Moore?" 

"He  ordered  me  out." 

The  broker  smiled. 

"  Perhaps  it  may  be  my  turn  to  order  out,"  he  said. 
"  Come  back  with  me." 


314  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    07t, 

'^  Thank  you,  sir." 

Simon  Moore  was  not  over-pleased  when  he  saw 
Gilbert  entering  the  office  with  his  employer,  but  ho 
said  nothing.     He  waited  to  see  how  the  land  lay. 

"Mr.  Moore,"  said  the  broker,  "I  met  Gilbert 
outside,  and  have  brought  him  in  to  talk  over  the 
charge  which  you  bring  against  him." 

'^  He  has  been  here  already,"  said  Moore,  coldly, 
*'  and  I  ordered  him  out." 

'^It  appears  to  me  that  this  is  rather  summary 
treatment." 

''I  think  I  have  treated  him  very  indulgently.  I 
might  have  had  him  arrested  for  theft,  but  I  didn't 
want  to  be  too  hard  upon  him." 

^'  You  seem  to  take  it  for  granted  that  he  is 
guilty." 

"He  must  be.  He  will  himself  admit  that  the 
missing  bill  was  found  in  his  overcoat  pocket;  ask 
him,  if  you  like,  sir." 

Mr.  Sands  turned  to  Gilbert. 

"It  is  true,"  he  said. 


GILBERT   GREY  son's   FORTUNES.  315 

"That  is  all  that  need  be  said,"  said  the  book- 
keeper, shrugging  his  shoulders. 

''  It  does  not  necessarily  follow  that  he  put  the  bill 
in  himself,"  remarked  Mr.  Sands. 

"Who  else  could  have  done  it?  "  demanded  Moore, 
triumphantly. 

"  I  will  answer  that  question,"  said  Gilbert. 
"John  put  the  money  in  my  pocket,  in  order  to 
get  me  into  a  scrape." 

"Do  you  hear  that.  Cousin  Simon?"  exclaimed 
John,  with  virtuous  indignation.  "  I  didn't  think 
Gilbert  could  be  so  wicked  as  to  say  such  things." 
-  "I  expected  it,"  said  Moore,  regarding  Gilbert 
maliciously.  "  A  boy  that  will  steal  will  lie  also. 
Of  course  he  only  says  it  to  screen  himself." 

Gilbert  listened  to  this  outbreak  very  composedly. 
He  knew  that  his  employer  was  on  his  side,  and  did 
not  think  it  necessary  to  contradict  it. 

"Have  you  any  proof  of  your  statement,  Gil- 
bert?"   asked  Mr.  Sands. 

"  Of  course  he  hasn't,"  said  Moore,  contemptu- 
ously.    "It  rests  upon  his  word;  and  that  is  worth 


316  SHIFTING   FOE  HIMSELF;    OiJ, 

nothing.  Ask  him  if  he  saw  John  put  the  money 
in  his  pocket." 

"  No,  I  did  not,"  answered  Gilbert,  without  wait- 
ing for  Mr.  Sands  to  put  the  question. 

"I  thought  not,"  said  Moore,  triumphantly.  ''  You 
only  suspected  it." 

"  Somebody  saw  it  done,"  said  Gilbert.  "  Shall  I 
call  him?" 

The  question  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Sands,  who 
nodded  his  head. 

Gilbert  went  to  the  door,  and  called  Tom. 

Tom,  the  boot-black,  shuffled  in,'  with  his  box 
strapped  to  his  back. 

"Tom,"  said  Gilbert,  "did  you,  one  day,  see 
John  —  that  boy  there  —  putting  a  bill  in  my  coat- 
pocket?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Tom,  "  shure  I  did ;  but  I 
thought  it  was  his  own,  and  it  was  no  harm,  till 
you  told  me  how  you'd  lost  your  place." 

Mr.  Sands  put  two  or  three  questions,  which  Tom 
answered  in  a  straightforward  manner.  Then  ho 
turned  to  the  book-keeper. 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  317 

"What  do  jou  say  to  this,  Mr.  Moore?"  he 
asked. 

''I  say  that  it  is  all  a  lie,"  returned  the  book- 
keeper, angrily.  "How  much  are  you  paid  for 
lying?''    he  demanded,  sharply,  of  the  boot-black. 

"Not  g.  cent,"  said  Tom,  indignantly;  "and  it 
isn't  a  lie  either,  you  spalpeen !  You  knew  all 
about  it,  too.  I  saw  you  lookin'  at  him  when  he 
did  it " 

"I'd  like  to  thrash  you,  within  an  inch  of  your 
life,  you  impudent  young  blackguard  !  "  said  Simon 
Moore,  furiously. 

"  You'd  better  not  thry  it,"  said  Tom,  boldly. 

"I  hope,  Mr.  Sands,"  said  Moore,  turning  to  the 
broker,  "  that  you  are  not  going  to  believe  this  young 
ragamuffin  against  me.  It  is  a  pretty  state  of  things, 
if  my  word  is  to  be  disputed  by  such  as  he." 

"Mr.  Moore,"  said  the  broker,  gravely,  "I  regret 
to  say  that,  in  this  instance,  I  am  forced  to  believe 
him  rather  than  you.  Wait  a  moment,"  —  seeing  that 
Moore  was  going  to  interrupt  him,  —  "it  is  only  fair 
that  I  should  give  you  my  reason.     Possibly  you  will 


318  SHIFTING    FOR    HIMSELF;    Oli, 

remember  one  evening  when,  at  an  oyster-saloon,  you 
and  John  concerted  this  very  plot  against  Gilbert.  I 
was  in  the  next  stall,  and  overheard  all  you  both  said. 
I  was  not,  therefore,  surprised  to  learn,  upon  my 
return,  under  what  circumstances  Gilbert  had  been 
discharged." 

Simon  Moore  and  John  looked  at  each  other  in 
silent  dismay.  Both  remembered  well  the  conver- 
sation alluded  to. 

"If  I  am  the  object  of  such  suspicion,"  blustered 
Moore,  at  length,  "  I  don't  think  I  had  better  remain 
in  your  employ." 

"I  approve  your  decision,"  said  the  broker,  gravely. 

"  I  will  leave  at  once,  if  you  say  so." 

Just  then  a  young  man  entered  the  office. 

"You  are  at  liberty. to  do  so,"  said  Mr.  Sands. 
"  I   have  already  engaged   this   gentleman   as   your 


successor." 


"I guess  I'll  go,  too,"  said  John. 
"You" may.     Gilbert,  you  will  resume  your  old 
place." 

It  would  be  difficult  to  paint  the  anger  and  mor- 


GILBERT  GREY  son's  FORTUNES.  319 

tification  upon  the  faces  of  the  two  cousins  as  they 
left  the  office. 

"This  comes  from  trying  to  help  you,  you  young 
loafer,"  said   Moore,   savagely,  turning   upon   John 
"But  for  you  I  should  have  kept  my  place." 

"I'm  sure  I  aint  to  blame,"  said  John,  whining. 

"You  are  wholly  to  blame.  I  shall  thrash  you 
some  day." 

John  thought  this  rather  hard,  since  the  plot  was 
of  his  cousin's  contriving.  I  may  remark  here  that 
months  passed  before  Simon  Moore  obtained  another 
situation. 


320  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OH, 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

MR.  BRIGGS  RETURNS  FROM  EUROPE. 

So  Gilbert  was  reinstated  in  his  old  position,  at  an 
advanced  salary.  His  income  was  now  seventeen 
dollars  a  week,  —  an  amount  which  enabled  him  to  live 
very  comfortably,  and  even  to  lay  aside  a  few  dollars 
every  week.  Of  coarse,  this  required  the  exercise 
of  economy ;  but  Gilbert  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  be 
prudent,  and  prepare  for  a  time  when  his  income 
might  be  less. 

He  found  the  new  book-keeper  a  very  different  man 
from  Mr.  Moore.  He  was  quite  as  efficient,  and  far 
more  agreeable.  From  the  first  he  regarded  Gilbert 
with  friendly  interest,  and  treated  him  as  a  friend. 

For  some  time  Gilbert  had  seen  nothing  of  Ran 
dolph  Briggs.     The  latter  occasionally  condescended 
to   wonder   how   that   beggar   Greyson   was    getting 
along,  but  did  not  feel  any  very  deep  anxiety  on 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  321 

his  account.  One  day,  however,  Randolph  ventured 
down-to-\vn,  and  had  the  curiosity  to  enter  Mr.  Sands' 
office. 

The  book-keeper  chanced  to  be  out,  and  Gilbert 
was  in  charge. 

Randolph  stared  in  astonishment  at  our  hero. 

''How  do  you  happen  to  be  here?"  he  asked, 
abruptly. 

''Why  shouldn't  I  be  here?"  returned  Gilbert, 
pleasantly.     ''This  is  my  place  of  business." 

"  But,  I  say,  I  thought  you  were  sent  off" 

"  So  I  was." 

"  How  did  you  get  back  ?  " 

"Mr.  Sands  took  me  back,  and  discharged  the 
book-keeper." 

"  Whew ! "  exclaimed  Randolph.  "  He  must  think 
a  good  deal  of  you." 

"  He  believed  the  charge  to  be  false,  and  that  it 
was  a  conspiracy  against  me.'' 

Randolph  did  not  know  what  to  think.  He  had 
predicted  that  Gilbert  would  never  get  back ;  and  it 
is  not  pleasant  to  be  mistaken  in  one's  predictions. 

21 


322  SHIFTING   FOR    HIMSELF;    OH, 

"Do  you  board  at  the  same  place?",  he  asked, 
after  a  while. 

"  Yes." 

"  Don't  you  find  it  hard  to  pay  your  board?" 

Gilbert  smiled.  The  question  was  an  impertinent 
one :  but  he  felt  amused  rather  than  offended. 

•'  I  have  paid  regularly  so  far,"  he  said. 

"  How  did  you  do  when  you  were  out  of  a  place?" 

"  I  lived  on  my  salary  as  teacher." 

Randolph  opened  wide  his  eyes  in  astonishment. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  teach  in  the  evening,"  explained  our  hero. 

''  You  don't  say  so  !     Why,  you  are  only  a  boy  '  " 

"  But  I  know  enough  to  teach  a  younger  boy." 

•'  Who  are  you  teaching?" 

*' Fred  Vivian." 

"  What,  Laura's  brother  ?  " 

"  The  same." 

"  He  don't  come  to  your  room,  does  he?  " 

''  Noj  I  go  there  five  evenings  in  the  week." 

"  Do  you  get  much  pay  ?  " 


GILBERT  GRETSON  S   FORTUNES.  323 

*'  I  don't  think  jou  can  expect  me  to  answer  that 
question,  Randolph. '^ 

"  Why,  aint  you  willing  to  toll?  " 

•'I'll  tell  you  so  much, — that  Mr.  Vivian  pays 
me  more  than  Mr.  Sands." 

Randolph  was  silent  for  a  moment.  This  news  was 
worse  than  the  other.  He  had  an  admiration  for 
Laura,  and  it  was  very  disagreeable  to  think  that 
while  he  was  not  on  visiting  terms  at  her  house,  this 
boy,  so  much  his  social  inferior,  should  be  freely  ad- 
mitted to  Laura's  presence.  Perhaps,  however,  he 
only  saw  Fred. 

"  Does  Laura  come  into  the  room  when  you  teach 
her  brother?  "  he  asked. 

'•  Certainly.     Li  fact,  I  help  her  a  little  too." 

"  It's  the  strangest  thing  I  ever  heard  of,"  muttered 
Randolph. 

''What  is?" 

"That  Mr.  Vivian  should  take  a  poor  office-boy  to 
teach  his  children." 

"  It  is  strange,  but  true,"  assented  Gilbert,  smil- 
mg. 


324  SHIFTING    FOR   IIIMSELF ;    OH, 

"I  didn't  think  jou  were  so  artful." 

''  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"If  you  hadn't  been  artful,  you  wouldn't  have  got 
so  thick  with  the  Vivians." 

"  I  don't  want  to  get  angry  with  you,  Randolph, 
but  I  don't  like  that  remark.  Suppose  we  change  the 
subject.     What  do  you  hear  from  your  father  ?  " 

''  He  was  in  Manchester  when  we  last  heard  from 
him." 

''  When  do  you  expect  him  home?  " 

"In  a  month  or  six  weeks." 

"  You  must  be  glad  to  have  him  return." 

"Oh,  I  don't  know,"  said  Randolph.  "I'm  hav- 
ing a  pretty  good  time." 

"He  don't  seem  to  have  overmuch  affection  for  his 
father,"  thought  Gilbert.  And  Gilbert  was  right. 
Randolph  was  very  selfish;  and  his  chief  regard  was 
for  himself  Even  his  mother,  who  idolized  him, 
received  but  a  scant  return.  One  reason  why  Ran- 
dolph would  be  sorry  to  have  his  father  return  was, 
that  he  was  now  receiving,  from  his  mother,  the  six 
dollars  a  week  which  properly  should  have  gone  for 


GILBERT  GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  325 

Gilbert's  board ;  and  of  this  he  would  doubtlessly  be 
deprived  when  Mr.  Briggs  came  back. 

"  Well,  I  guess  I  can't  stay  any  longer,"  said  Ran- 
dolph, looking  at  his  watch.  "You  haven't  been  up 
to  the  house  lately." 

"  No;  ray  evenings  are  engaged,  you  know." 

"  You'd  better  come  up  and  dine  soon." 

Gilbert  was  rather  surprised  at  this  invitation; 
but  Randolph's  motive  was  soon  apparent. 

"If  you  will,  I  will  go  round  to  the  Vivians  after- 
wards with  you." 

"Perhaps,"  suggested  Gilbert,  "when  I  want  to 
be  away  for  an  evening,  you  will  go  in  my  place." 

"  No,  I  guess  not.  I  don't  think  I  should  like 
to  teach.     I'd  rather  go  with  you." 

"  I  will  think  of  it.  At  any  rate,  I  thank  you  for 
the  invitation." 

Randolph  went  home  at  once.  He  wanted  to  tell 
his  mother  the  news.  It  may  well  be  believed  that 
she  was  not  pleased.  She  would  have  been  glad  to 
hear  that  he  had  been  compelled  to  leave  the  city. 


326         SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

"It  seems,"  said  she,  sharply,  Hhat  Mr.  Brigga 
is  not  the  only  fool  in  the  city." 

"I  wonder  what  father  would  say  to  hear  that," 
chuckled  Randolph. 

"You  know  what  I  mean.  He  was  perfectly  in- 
fatuated with  that  Grey  son  boy ;  and  now  it  appears 
that  Mr.  Vivian  is  just  as  much  of  a  dupe." 

"He's  very  artful,"  suggested  Randolph. 

"  That  is  the  very  word  to  use,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs, 
energetically.  "It  does  credit  to  your  insight  into 
character." 

"I  always  thought  he  was  artful,"  said  Randolph, 
much  flattered. 

"He  never  deceived  me,"  said  his  mother,  em- 
phatically. "I  felt  instinctively  that  he  was  a  boy 
to  be  shunned.  I  dare  say  he  would  like  to  ingra- 
tiate himself  with  your  father  so  far  as  to  induce 
him  to  adopt  him,  and  put  him  on  an  equality  with 
you." 

"  By  gracious,  I  hope  not,"  exclaimed  Randolph^ 
alarmed. 

"  He  shall  never  do  it  with  my  consent,"  said  Mrs. 


GILBERT  GREYSON^S  FORTUNES,  327 

Briggs,  energetically.  ''  Fortunately  you  have  a 
mother,  who  is  devoted  to  you,  my  son." 

"Of  course  you  are,  mother.  You  won't  let 
father  pay  Gilbert's  board,  after  he  gets  back,  will 
you  ?  " 

''  Not  if  I  can  help  it." 

"  And  you'll  persuade  him  to  give  the  extra 
amount  to  me?  " 

''I  will  do  my  best;  but  your  father  is  sometimes 
very  obstinate."  i 

''  It  takes  you  to  manage  him,  mother.  Just  let 
him  know  what  you  think  of  Gilbert." 

"He  knows  that  very  well  already;  but  I  will  do 
my  best  for  you,  Randolph." 

Six  weeks  later  Mr.  Briggs  arrived  in  New  York. 
Gilbert  saw  his  name  in  a  list  of  the  passengers  by 
the  last  Canard  steamer,  but  decided  not  to  call 
upon  him  immediately. 

"  He  would  think  I  was  applying  to  have  my 
board  paid  again,"  he  said  to  himself:  "and  that 
is  no  longer  necessary." 


328  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OS, 


CHAPTER  XXXVn. 

AN   IMPORTANT   REVELATION. 

Gilbert  did  not  lose  sight  of  the  little  flower-girl 
whom  he  had  befriended.  Even  when  his  fortunes 
were  at  the  lowest,  he  never  fiiiled  to  buy  a  bouquet 
of  her  dailj.  More  than  this  he  did  not  feel  able  to 
do  then.  But  as  soon  as  he  obtained  the  position  of 
Ered's  teacher,  he  again  visited  Mr.  Tall)ot  in  his 
poor  lodgings,  and  gave  him  more  substantial  assist- 
ance. The  sick  man  improved  steadily  in  health  and 
spirits.  It  did  him  great  good  to  feel  that  he  had  a 
friend,  though  that  friend  was  only  a  boy,  dependent 
on  his  earnings  for  support. 

On  the  dav  after  he  had  beard  of  Mr.  Briiir^rs'  re- 
turn  from  Europe,  Gilbert  made  a  hurried  call  during 
his  dinner-hour. 

"  How  are  you  to  day,  Mr.  Talbot?  "  he  asked. 


GILBERT   GRETSON^S    FORTUNES.  329 

"  I  am  better,"  said  the  sick  man.  '^  I  hope  I  shall 
soon  be  "^'ell  enough  to  go  to  work  again." 

''I  think  jou  will,"  said  Gilbert,  cheerfully.  ''I 
must  try  to  see  what  I  can  find  for  you  to  do,  among 
my  business  friends." 

"  Thank  you;  do  you  know  many  business  men? " 

"No,"  answered  Gilbert.  "I  wonder,"  he  said, 
half  to  himself,  "whether  my  guardian  couldn't  give 
you  work." 

"  Your  guardian !  "  repeated  Mr.  Talbot,  in  sur- 
prise. 

"Yes,"  said  Gilbert,  smiling;  "but  you  mustn't 
think  because  I  have  a  guardian  that  I  have  any 
property." 

"  Who  is  your  guardian?  " 

"Mr.  Richard  Briggs,  a  New  York  merchant, 
lie  only  got  home  from  Europe  yesterday." 

"Richard  BriofSis!"  exclaimed  the  sick,  man  in 
evident  excitement. 

"  Yes ;  do  you  know  anything  of  him  ?  " 

"His  name  is  very  familiar  to  me.     Tell  me,  are 


330  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

you  the  son  of  James  Grejson,  formerly  a  merchant 
in  the  West  Indies  ?  " 

It  was  Gilbert's  turn  to  be  excited. 

''My  father  died  in  the  West  Indies,"  he  answered ; 
"but  I  know  very  little  of  him.  Did  you  know  him, 
Mr.  Talbot?" 

''  I  ought  to  know  him.  I  was  his  book-keeper  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death." 

''Is  it  possible?"  ejaculated  Gilbert.  "How  glad 
I  am  to  meet  you  !  I  know  nothing  of  my  father 
except  what  Mr.  Briggs  has  told  me." 

"One  thing  I  do  not  understand,'"  continued  the 
sick  man.  "  You  say  you  have  no  property ;  but  this 
cannot  be.  Your  father  left  seventy-five  thousand 
dollars." 

"  Seventy-five  thousand  dollars  !  Are  you  sure, 
Mr.  Talbot?" 

"  No  one  can  be  surer.  I  knew  all  about  your 
father's  business  and  the  extent  of  his  property." 

"Was  this  money  entrusted  to  my  guardian?" 
asked  Gilbert,  quickly. 

"It  was.     Your  father  and  Richard  Briggs  were 


GILBERT   GRETSON'S  FORTUNES.  331 

schoolmates,  so  I  have  heard  him  say ;  and  he  felt 
sufficient  confidence  in  him  to  confide  you  to  his 
care." 

It  is  not  a  pleasant  moment  when  for  the  first  time 
we  are  led  to  suspect  those  in  whom  we  have  confided ; 
and  important  and  welcome  as  the  intelligence  other- 
wise was,  Gilbert  felt  sober  at  the  treachery  of  Mr. 
Briggs.  The  latter,  as  we  have  seen,  had  been  kinder 
to  him  than  his  wife  or  son,  and  Gilbert  had 
felt  grateful.  Even  now  he  could  not  rid  himself  of 
a  certain  feeling  of  kindness  to  his  guardian,  false  as 
he  had  been  to  his  trust. 

''  I  am  sorry  to  hear  this,"  he  said,  gravely. 

"  Sorry  to  hear  that  your  father  left  you  a  for- 
tune?" 

"  I  don't  mean  that.  I  am  sorry  that  my  guardian 
has  been  wicked  enough  to  attempt  to  cheat  me  out 
of  it." 

"  What  sort  of  a  man  is  Mr.  Bri2!;o;s  ?  " 

"At  first  I  was  not  prepossessed  in  his  favor;  but 
he  improved  on  acquaintance.  When  his  wife  and  son 
spoke  against  me,  he  always  took   my  part.     When 


332  SHIFTING   FOR    HIMSELF;    OR 

I  was  charged  with  dishonesty,  he  refused  to  believe 
it." 

^'  I  think  it  quite  possible  that  he  is  a  naturally 
kind-hearted  man,"  said  the  sick  man;  "but  human 
nature  is  sometimes  inconsistent.  I  think  it  may 
have  been  in  a  moment  of  embarrassment  that  he  ap- 
propriated your  fortune.  If  he  has  since  prospered, 
it  may  be  possible  for  you  to  recover  it." 

"  Are  you  sure  it  was  as  much  as  seventy-five  thou- 
sand dollars,  ^Ir.  Talbot  ?  "  asked  Gilbert,  dazzled  ak 
he  well  might  be  by  the  magnitude  of  the  sum. 

"  I  am  sure  of  it." 

"  Can  you  prove  it,  so  that  Mr.  Briggs  will  be  com- 
pelled to  give  it  up  to  me  ?  " 

"  Fortunately  I  can.  I  have  in  my  trunk  a  docu- 
ment, in  your  father's  own  handwriting,  giving  a 
schedule  of  his  property,  in  which  he  expressly  says^ 
tliat  he  makes  it  over  in  trust  to  Kichard  Briggs,  for 
your  use.  Indeed,  it  must  now  amount  to  more 
than  seventy-five  thousand  dollars;  for  only  a  small 
part  of  the  income  has  been  expended  for  you.     Prob- 


GILBERT  GHEYSON's   FORTUNES.  333 

ably  a  few  hundreds  of  dollars  a  year  are  all  that 

have  been  spent  for  you." 

"  I  don't  see  how  Mr.  Brio-ffs  could  make  such  false 

representations,"  said  Gilbert,  thoughtfully. 

"  '  Money  is  the  root  of  all  evil,'  my  young  friend* 

It  is  an  old  proverb,  and  unfortunately  a  true  one." 
"  I  have  noticed  one  thing,"  continued  our    hero. 

"  When  I  thanked  Mr.  Briggs  for  paying  my  board, 

as   I   supposed,  out   of  his   own   pocket,    he   always 

seemed  uncomfortable  and  embarrassed." 

"  That  shows"  he  is  not  wholly  without  shame." 
"It  is  about  time  for  me  to  be  going  back  to  the 

office,  Mr.  Talbot;    but  before  I  go  I  want   to   ask 

your  advice  on  one  point.     How  soon  shall  I  speak  to 

Mr.  Briggs  on  this  subject?  " 

"  Whenever  you  have  an  opportunity." 

"  Of  course,  I  must  refer  to  you  as  my  informant." 

"  By  all  means,"   said    the    sick   man,   promptly 

"  It  will  be  a  great  satisfaction  to  me  if,  through  my 

means,  you  succeed  in  obtaining  your  rights." 

For  the  rest  of  the  day  and  through  the  evening 

Gilbert's  mind  was  occupied  with  the  important  in- 


334  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

tellif^ence  he  had  learned.  He  did  not  make  a  con- 
fidant  of  any  one,  feeling  that  it  was  not  yet  time. 

Mr.  Ingalls,  his  room-mate,  saw  that  he  was  think- 
ing busily  about  something,  but  did  not  make  any 
inquiries.  He  knew  that  Gilbert  would  let  him  kno^ 
when  he  got  ready.  Alphonso  Jones  was  not  so  for- 
bearina;. 

"  By  Jove !  Greyson,  I  believe  you  are  in  love,"  he 
said,  abruptly. 

"  What  makes  you  think  so,  Mr.  Jones  ?  " 

"You've  been  sitting  with  your  eyes  fixed  on  the 
carpet  for  five  minutes  without  speaking  a  word," 

"  Your  opinion  about  love  is  worth  something,  Mr. 
Jones,"  said  Gilbert,  smiling.  "You  know  how  it  is 
yourself.  Didn't  I  see  you  walking  with  a  fail 
widow  last  evening?" 

"  Who  do  you  mean?  "  asked  Alphonso,  smiling. 

"  Mrs.  Kinney,  of  course." 

"I  only  happened  to  meet  her  going  to  a  concert 
with  !Mr.  Pond,"  exclaimed  Alphonso.  "  He  was 
called  away  a  moment,  and  left  her  in  my  care." 

"He    was    very    imprudent,"    said    Mr.    Ingalls. 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  335 

"You  know,  Jones,  you're  a  regular  lady-killer.  I 
really  hope  you  won't  try  any  of  your  fascinations 
on  the  widow." 

Mr.  Jones  simpered,  and  was  evidently  pleased. 
It  was  his  private  opinion  that  he  was  unusually 
fascinating,  and  this  public  acknowledgment  of  it 
was  gratifying. 

"You  will  have  your  joke,  Mi*.  Ingalls,"'  he  said. 
"  I  have  a  high  respect  for  Mrs.  Kinney ;  but,  really, 
there  is  nothing  in  it,  I  do  assure  you." 

"  Time  will  show,"  said  Mr.  Inojalls.  noddinoi;  his 
head  in  an  oracular  way.  "But  don't  be  precipi- 
tate, Mr.  Jones.  Remember  the  Countess  de  Mont- 
morency, who  may  yet  be  your  bride." 

"I  have  no  hopes  in  that  quarter,"  said  Alphonso, 
who  had  ascertained  that  the  count  had  been  reduced 
by  family  misfortunes  to  accept  a  position  in  a  bar- 
ber's shop.     "Good-evening,  gents." 

Vrhen  Alphonso  had  retired,  Gilbert  said,  "I  have 
something  on  my  mind,  Mr.  Ingalls,  though  not  what 
Mr.  Jones  supposed.  I  hope  soon  to  let  you  know 
what  it  is." 


336  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

'^  Whenever   you   are   ready,  Gilbert.     I   am   not 
curious ;    but  shall   be   interested   in   anything   that 
concerns  you.     It  isn't  anything  unpleasant,  I  hope." 
^'  It  may  be  greatly  to  my  advantage." 
"  If  that  is  the  case,  I  can  wait  cheerfully." 


GILBERT   GEEYSON^S  FORTUNES.  337 


CHAPTER  XXXVin. 

gilbert's  ship  comes  in. 

It  may  well  be  supposed  that  Gilbert  wished,  as 
soon  as  possible,  to  question  his  guardian  on  a  sub- 
ject having  such  an  important  bearing  upon  his 
future  career.  It  occurred  to  him  that  it  mi^iht  be 
well  to  consult  a  lawyer  first ;  but  he  finally  decided 
not  to  do  so.  Personally  Mr.  Briggs  had  treated 
him  kindly,  and  he  did  not  wish,  unless  it  should 
prove  absolutely  necessary,  to  assume  a  position 
antagonistic  to  him. 

Gilbert  reached  his  guardian's  house  about  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening.  He  had.  received  a  note 
from  Fred  Vivian,  stating  that  he  was  going  to  the 
theatre,  and  would  not  require  a  lesson  that  evening. 
This  gave  him  baundant  time  for  the  interview. 

Mrs.  Briggs  and  Randolph  had  gone  to  make  a 
call,  and  Gilbert  found  Mr.  Briggs  alone.     In  dress- 


338  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Olt^ 

ing-gown  and  slippers  he  was  conning  the  evening 
paper  when  Gilbert  was  announced. 

''  Good-evening,  Gilbert,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  cor- 
dially.    ''I  am  glad  to  see  you." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Gilbert,  gravely. 

''  I  was  feeling  a  little  lonely.  Mrs.  Briggs  and 
Kandolph  have  gone  out  to  make  a  call.  How  have 
you  got  on  since  I  went  away?  " 

"  I  am  doing  well  now,  sir;  but  at  one  time  my 
prospects  looked  dark." 

''How  is  that?"  asked  Mr.  Briggs,  surprised. 
"  I  thought  I  left  you  well  provided  for." 

It  was  Gilbert's  turn  to  look  surprised. 

"  Didn't  Randolph  tell  you  about  my  losing  my 
situation?"    he  asked. 

"  Not  a  word.     How  came  you  to  lose  it?  " 

Gilbert  told  the  story,  already  familiar  to  the 
reader.     He  also  told  about  his  res-ainino;  it. 

"That  must  have  been  disagreeable;  and,  of  course, 
you  felt  the  loss  of  income.  But  your  board  was  at 
least  provided  for.  You  received  money  for  that 
from  my  office?  " 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  339 

**No,  sir ;  "  not  a  cent. 

''  Whj  not  ?     I  left  directions  to  that  effect.'^ 

Gilbert'^  cheek  flushed. 

''I  called  on  Mrs.  Briggs,  to  inquire  about  it,"  he 
sa^J,  reluctanilv  •  ''  but  she  chose  to  treat  me  as  a 
beggar,  and  I  dooMned  to  receive  anything." 

Mr.  Briggs  looked  annoyed. 

"I  am  afraid,"  he  said,  desirous  of  excusing  his 
■wife,  "that  you  are  too  sensitive,  Gilbert.  Mrs. 
Briojors  is  a  little  unfortunate  in  her  manner,  and 
gave  you  a  wrong  impression.  However,  you  shall 
not  suifer  for  it.  Come  round  to  the  office  to-mor- 
row, and  I  will  give  you  a  sum  equal  to  what  you 
would  have  had  if  I  had  been  at  home." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Gilbert;  but  still  he  looked 
grave. 

"Does  not  that  satisfy  you?"  asked  Mr.  Briggs, 
a  little  annoyed. 

Gilbert  felt  that  the  time  had  come  for  his  question. 

"  I  came  here  to-night,  Mr.  Briggs,"  he  com- 
menced, "  to  ask  you  a  question." 


840  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"Ask  it,  of  course,"  said  the  merchant,  quite 
unprepared  for  what  was  coming. 

Gilbert  fixed  his  clear,  penetrating  ejes  on  his 
guardian's  face. 

"  My  father  left  you  some  money  in  trust  for  me; 
did  he  not,  sir?" 

"  Certainly.     I  told  you  so." 

''  I  know  it,  sir.  Will  you  tell  me  what  it 
amounted  to?  " 

"Really,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  uncomfortably,  "1 
can't  tell  without  looking  over  my  papers.  What 
makes  you  ask?" 

"  Did  it  not  amount  to  seventy-five  thousand  dol- 
lars?"   demanded  Gilbert,  quietly. 

Richard  Briggs  nearly  started  from  his  seat  in 
surprise  and  dismay.  That  was  the  amount,  as  he 
well  knew ;  but  how  on  earth  could  the  bov  have 
found  out?  He  saw  that  his  ward  had  obtained 
some  dangerously  accurate  information  somewhere; 
and  that  he  was  thoroughly  in  earnest  in  his  inquiry. 

"  Who  could  have  put  such  a  thought  into  your 
head?  "  he  asked,  slowly  and  hesitatingly. 


GILBERT   GEETSON^S   FORTUNES.  341 

''I  won't  make  a  secret  of  it,'*  said  Gilbert.  "I 
have  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  man  who  knew  mj 
father.  He  tells  me  he  was  his  book-keeper  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  claims  to  know  all  about  my 
father's  affairs,  and  the  amount  of  property  he  left." 

"  There  is  some  great  mistake,"  muttered  the 
merchant. 

"I  don't  think  there  can  be.  Mr.  Talbot  has,  in 
his  possession,  and  has  showed  to  me,  an  autograph- 
letter  of  my  father,  in  which  he  gives  full  details 
on  this  subject." 

"Where  is  this  Talbot?"  asked  Mr.  Briggs, 
abruptly. 

"  He  is  living  in  this  city." 

''Where?" 

•'You  must  excuse  me,  Mr.  Briggs.  At  present 
I  do  not  wish  to  tell  you." 

"  He  may  be  an  impostor." 

"I  have  thought  of  that;  but  such  an  imposition 
could  not  be  carried  out.     I  think  he  tells  the  truth." 

"  Suppose  I  believe  the  contrary,  —  what,  then?  " 

"You  have  reason  to  know  whether  what  he  says 


342  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR^ 

is  correct  or  not,  Mr.  Briggs,"  said  Gilbert,  reso- 
lutely.  ''If  jou  deny  it,  and  assert  that  he  is  an 
impostor,  I  will  consult  a  lawyer,  and  have  him 
cross-examine  him  on  the  subject,  and  give  me  his 
opinion." 

"You  have  not  spoken  to  a  lawyer  jet?"  said 
^Ir.  Briggs,  uneasily. 

''  No,  sir." 

"Lawyers  are  fond  of  instituting  lawsuits.  Prob- 
ably one  would  report  favorably." 

"I  should  want  to  know  his  grounds.  And  I 
would  not  consent  to  a  suit,  unless  he  convinced  me 
there  was  good  ground  for  it." 

"Gilbert,"  said  the  merchant,  "I  feel  friendly  to 
you,  and  I  want  you  to  succeed.  Say  no  more  about 
this  affair,  and  to-morrow  I  will  make  over  to  you 
bank-shares  amounting  to  ten  thousand  dollars.  That 
will  give  you  a  good  start  in  life.'' 

"I  only  want  what  is  my  own,"  said  Gilbert, 
sturdily.     "  I  want  what  my  father  left  me." 

Mr.  Briggs  rose,  and  paced  the  room  in  silence 
His  good  and  bad  angel  were  contending  for  the 


GILBERT   GREYSON*S   FORTUNES.  343 

supremacj.  The  conflict  came  to  anend,  and  his  bet- 
ter nature  triumphed.  He  resumed  his  seat,  looking 
no  longer  perplexed  or  troubled,  but  as  one  who 
had  thrown  off  a  burden. 

''Gilbert,"  he  said,  "it  is  all  true.  I  have  tried 
to  be  a  villain;  but  I  won't  be  one  any  longer. 
Your  father  left  jou  a  fortune,  and  it  shall  be  re- 
stored to  you." 

Gilbert  rose,  and  grasped  Mr.  Briggs'  hand  cor- 
dially. Boy  as  he  was,  he  comprehended  the  struggle 
through  which  his  guardian  had  passed. 

''Thank  you,  sir,"  he  said.  "I  shall  forget  all 
that  has  passed ;  and  I  ask  you  to  remain  my 
guardian,  and  take  care  of  my  property  for  me." 

Man  of  the  world  as  he  was,  Mr.  Briggs  was 
touched  by  this  proof  of  generous  confidence. 

"I  don't  deserve  this,  Gilbert;  but  I  will  do  as 
you  ask.  I  will,  however,  see  a  lawyer,  and  make 
such  arrangements  that  whatever  may  happen  to  me 
you  will  be  safe." 

At  that  moment  the  bell  rang. 

"  1  think  Mrs.    Briggs  and  •  Randolph   have  re- 


3i4  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

turned,"  said   the  merchant.     "  One  word,  Gilbert 
of  what  has  passed  between  us,  let  it  only  be  kno^yn 
that  jou  have  received  a  large  legacy,  and  that  I  am 
your  guardian  in  reality  as  well  as  in  name." 

''  All  right,  sir.  Perhaps  I  had  better  go.  Mrs. 
Eriggs  don't  like  me." 

Her  husband  laughed. 

"  She  will  change  when  she  knows  you  are  rich," 
he  said.  "  Don't  be  surprised.  It  is  the  way  of  the 
world." 

He  had  scarcely  finished  when  Mrs.  Briggs  en- 
tered, followed  by  Randolph.  She  remarked  Gil- 
bert's presence  with  displeasure. 

''  You  here?  "  she  said. 

"Yes,  my  dear,"  said  Mr.  Briggs,  pleasantly. 
"  Gilbert  has  been  keeping  me  company." 

"He. came  on  business^  I  suppose,"  sneered  the 
lady. 

"  You  are  right,  my  dear.  What  made  you  guess 
his  errand  ?  " 

"  I  supposed  he  wanted  help,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs. 
"  He  wants  his  pension  restored,  of  course." 


GILBERT   GREYSON^S   FORTUNES.  345 

"Is  that  what  you  came  for.  Gilbert?"  asked 
Randolph,  uncomfortablj. 

Gilbert  rather  enjoyed  the  misapprehension  of  his 
two  enemies,  but  he  left  Mr.  Briggs  to  answer. 

"Really,  my  dear,  you  are  hardly  polite  to  my 
young  ward." 

"Your  ward!  Don't  be  ridiculous,  Mr.  Briggs. 
You  know  he  hasn't  got  a  cent,  anjd  has  to  live  on 
charity." 

"You  are  quite  mistaken,  my  dear.  Gilbert  has 
just  come  into  a  property  of  over  eighty  thousand 
dollars.  And  he  has  asked  me  to  take  charge  of  it 
for  him." 

Mrs.  Briggs  sank  into  a  chair  in  utter  stupe- 
faction, while  Randolph  opened  his  eyes  in  astonish- 
ment. 

"You  are  jesting!"  Mrs.  Briggs  managed  to 
utter. 

"  Not  at  all.     Is  what  I  say  correct,  Gilbert  ?  " 

"  1  believe  it  is,  sir." 

It  is  singular  how  Gilbert  was  transformed  all  at 
once  in  the  eyes  of  the  worldly  wom^n,  and  her  son. 


34 G  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OE, 

Circumstances   were  changed,   and  thej  must  change 
with  them.     It  was  awkward,  but  it  must  be  done. 

"I  congraulate  you,  Gilbert,"  she  said,  trying  to 
smile.     "  You  are  certainly  very  fortunate." 

''  I  should  say  he  was !  "  exclaimed  Randolph. 
"  I  say,  Gilbert,  come  and  live  with  us,  won't  you? " 

''  I  should  really  be  glad  to  have  my  husband's 
ward  in  my  family,"  said  Mrs.  Briggs,  as  graciously 
as  possible. 

''  Thank  you,"  said  Gilbert  ;  ''  but  this  has  come 
upon  me  so  suddenly,  that  I  don't  know  what  arrange- 
ments  I  shall  make." 

''  Who  left  you  this  fortune  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Briggs, 
curiously. 

^'  We  are  not  at  liberty  to  go  into  particulars,"  said 
Mr.  Briggs  ;   "but  there  is  no  doubt  about  it." 

"  If  you  will  excuse  me,  Mr.  Briggs,  I  will  leave 
you  now.  I  should  like  to  tell  my  friends  of  my 
good  fortune." 

"  Certainly.  Come  to  my  counting-room  in  the 
morning  at  ten.  Some  arrangements  will  need  to  be 
made." 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S  FORTUNES,  347 

''  I  will  be  on  hand,  sir." 

''Dine  with  us  to-morrow,  Gilbert,"  said  Mrs. 
Briggs,  graciously.  "  Randolph  will  be  so  glad  of 
your  company." 

''  Thank  you." 

Gilbert  thought  it  due  to  his  guardian  to  accept. 
He  was  wise  enough  to  take  the  world  as  he  found  it, 
and  return  courtesy  with  courtesy. 

"What  has  happened,  Gilbert?"  exclaimed  his 
room-mate,  when,  half  an  hour  later,  Gilbert  broke 
into  the  room,  his  face  full  of  excitement. 

''  I  am  rich,  Mr.  Ingalls.  I  have  become  heir  to 
eighty  thousand  dollars." 

''  Good  gracious !  "  exclaimed  Alphonso  Jones,  who 
was  present.  "I  suppose  you  will  go  to  live  on 
Fifth  Avenue  among  the  swells." 

''  Not  at  present,  Mr.  Jones." 

"  I  am  very  glad  of  your  good  luck,  Gilbert,"  said 
his  room-mate,  warmly.  "You  must  tell  me  all  about 
it  by  and  by." 

"I  wish  I  had  eighty  thousand  dollars,"  said  Al- 
phonso.    "  Wouldn't  I  be  high-toned  ?  " 


348  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR, 

"■  Can't  one  be  high-toned  without  being  rich,  Mr. 
Jones?  "  asked  Gilbert. 

Mr.  Jones  thought  not ;  but  he  made  one  mental 
reservation.  He  privately  thought  himself  high- 
toned,  though    he   certainly  was  not  rich. 


GILBERT  GHEYSON'S  FORTUNES.  349 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


CONCLUSION. 


Nowhere  did  Gilbert  receive  heartier  congraula- 
tions  on  the  change  in  his  fortunes  than  from  Mr. 
Vivian  and  his  family.     Fred  only  was  disturbed. 

"  I  suppose  you  won't  be  willing  to  teach  me  any 
more,  now  you  are  rich,  Gilbert,"  he  said. 

''I  don^t  think  it  will  make  any  difference,  Fred," 
said  Gilbert;  ''but  I  must  consult  your  father  about 
my  plans." 

*'  What  are  your  own  views  and  wishes,  Gilbert  ?  " 
asked  the  merchant. 

"I  want  to  get  a  better  education,"  said  Gilbert. 
''  I  should  like  to  carry  out  my  orignal  plan,  and  go 
to  college.  After  I  graduate  I  may  devote  myself  to 
business;  but  a  good  education  won't  interfere  with 
that." 


350  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;   OSj 

"I  approve  jour  plan,"  said  Mr.  Vivian.  ^' Of 
course  you  will  resign  your  place  at  the  broker's." 

''  Yes,  sir." 

''  Then  I  shall  submit  a  plan  for  your  future.  We 
all  like  you,  and  you  can  be  of  use  to  Fred.  Come 
and  live  with  us.  You  can  complete  your  preparation 
for  college  at  some  first-class  school  in  the  city,  and 
enter  next  summer,  if  you  like." 

"  I  hope  you  will  come,  Gilbert,"  said  Laura. 

It  might  have  been  her  voice  which  decided  Gilbert 
to  accept.  At  any  rate,  he  did  accept  gratefully; 
and  in  less  than  a  week  he  was  installed  at  Mr. 
Vivian's  as  a  member  of  the  family. 

Mr.  Sands  was  sorry  to  lose  his  services,  but 
acknowledged  that  it  was  better  for  him  to  give  up 
his  place.  The  day  after  his  retirement  he  was 
sitting  in  Madison  Park,  when  John,  who  had  once 
caused  him  to  lose  his  place,  espied  him.  John  had 
not  yet  succeeded  in  securing  a  place,  nor  had  Mr. 
Moore,  the  book-keeper. 

*•  What  brings  you  here  at  this  time  in  the  day?" 
asked  John,  in  surprise. 


GILBERT   GREYSON'S   FORTUNES.  351 

"I  am  a  gentleman  of  leisure,"  answered  Gilbert. 

"Have  you  left  Mr.  Sands?"  asked  John,  eagerly. 

"Yes." 

"  Been  bounced,  eh?  "  asked  John,  radiantly. 

Gilbert  smiled.     He  understood  John's  feelings. 

"  No,"  he  answered.     "  I  left  of  my  own  accord." 

"  You  haven't  got  another  place?  " 

"No." 

"Then  it's  too  thin,  your  leaving  of  your  own 
accord." 

"It  does  look  so,  I  admit,"  said  Gilbert,  good- 
humoredly.     "But  it  is  true,  nevertheless." 

"Why  did  you  leave,  then?  You  haven't  had  a 
fortune  left  you?  " 

"  YouVe  hit  it,  John.  I  no  longer  need  my  pay. 
I  have  become  rich,  and  shall  go  on  preparing  for 
college.'' 

^'Is  that  really  so?" 

"It  is  quite  true." 

"  Some  folks  are  lucky,"  said  John,  enviously. 
"I  aint  one  of  that  kind.  I  wish  I  could  get  your 
old  place." 


352  SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    OR 


''  I  am  afraid  Mr.  Sands  wouldn't  take  you  back. 
I  wish  he  would,  and  that  you  would  do  so  well  that 
he  would  keep  you." 

"That  will  do  to  say;  but  you  wouldn't  help  me 
back." 

"YeSj  I  would,  and  will.  I  will  go  down  to  the 
office  now,  and  ask  Mr.  Sands  to  take  you  back." 

''You  will,  after  the  mean  way  I  have  treated 
you?"    exclaimed  John,  in  surprise. 

''I  don't  bear  any  malice,  John,"  said  Gilbert; 
"Here,  take  my  hand,  and  look  upon  me  as  a  friend. 
If  I  can't  get  you  back  into  my  old  place,  I'll  try 
elsewhere.  Come,  let  us  take  the  cars  down-town, 
and  I'll  see  what  I  can  do  for  you." 

"What  a  good  fellow  you  are,  Gilbert!"  said 
John,  much  moved.  "I  am  ashamed  of  trying  to 
injure  you." 

"You  didn't  know  me,  then.  But,  John,  will  you 
try  to  give  satisfaction,  if  you  are  taken  back?" 

"  YeS;  I  will,"  said  John,  earnestly. 

Half  an  hour  later  they  entered  the  broker's  office. 
No  boy  had  been  engaged  as  yet.     Mr.  Sands  did  not 


GILBERT  GREYSON  S   FORTUNES,  353 

at  first  regard  John's  application  with  favor ;  though, 
as  he  understood  the  duties  of  the  place,  he  could,  if 
he  pleased,  do  better  than  a  new  boy.  Finally,  the 
broker  agreed  to  take  him  on  trial. 

"  Remember,  John,"  he  said,  "  you  owe  your  place 
to  Gilbert's  intercession.  But  for  that  I  woiildn't 
take  you  back." 

'•  I  know  it,  sir.     I  hope  you  won't  be  sorry." 

Here  it  may  be  said  that  John  turned  over  a  new 
leaf,  and  succeeded  in  this  last  trial  in  giving  satis- 
faction. His  cousin,  Simon  Moore,  called  him  mean- 
spirit'jd  for  going  back ;  but  John  felt  that  he  must 
look  out  for  his  own  interests  now,  and  did  not  regard 
his  objection. 

In  his  prosperity  Gilbert  did  not  forget  Mr. 
Talbot  and  his  little  daughter.  While  he  continued 
sick  our  hero  allowed  him  a  weekly  sum  sufficient 
to  support  father  and  daughter  comfortably;  and  on 
his  recovery  he  found  him  employment,  and  a  more 
comfortable  lodo;ino;.  Little  Emma  was  no  lono-er 
obliged  to  go  into  the  streets  to  sell  bouquets,  but 
was  put  at  a  good  day-school.     From  time  to  time 

23 


354  SHIFTING    FOR    HIMSELF ;    OR^ 

Gilbert  called  upon  them,  and  was  rejoiced  to  see  the 
improved  looks  and  happier  faces  of  Emma  and  her 
father. 

In  the  first  chapter  of  this  story  the  reader  will 
recall  John  Munford,  a  school-friend  of  Gilbert,  the 
son  of  a  carpenter,  who,  on  account  of  his  father's 
poverty,  was  obliged  to  leave  school,  and  go  to  work. 
Gilbert,  in  becoming  rich,  did  not  forget  his  early 
friend.  One  day  John  received  a  letter  from  Gilbert, 
in  which,  after  speaking  of  his  change  of  fortune,  he' 
wrote :  — 

"  Now,  John,  I  have  a  large  income,  —  much  more 
than  I  can  use,  —  and  I  want  to  do  what  good  I  can 
with  it.  I  know  you  want  to  keep  at  school,  but 
cannot,  on  account  of  your  father's  circumstances.  I 
have  a  proposal  to  make  to  you.  Give  up  work,  and 
go  back  to  Dr.  Burton's  school.  I  will  allow  you 
three  hundred  dollars  a  year  till  you  are  ready  to  go 
to  college.  Then  you  shall  come  to  Yale,  and  room 
with  me.  I  will  provide  for  you  in  college.  After 
you  graduate,  your  education  will  command  a  position 
that  will  make  you  independent.     Let  me  know  at 


GILBERT    GREYSON^S  FORTUNES.  355 

once  if  jou  accept,  or  rather  write  me  that  you  do 
accept." 

What  could  John  do,  but  to  accept  this  generous 
offer  with  deep  gratitude  to  his  old  school-fellow? 
Need  it  be  said  that  Gilbert  fulfilled  his  promise  to 
the  letter.  Last  year  the  two  friends  graduated,  both 
taking  high  rank ;  and  John  is  now  principal  of  a 
High  School  in  a  Massachusetts  town.  Gilbert  has 
decided  to  lead  a  business  life,  and  has  entered 
Mr.  Vivian's  establishment.  He  will  be  junior  part- 
ner at  the  end  of  three  years.  He  may  form  another 
partnership  with  a  member  of  Mr.  Vivian's  family. 
I  cannot  say  positively,  but  I  think  it  quite  probable. 

Mr.  Briggs  is  no  longer  Gilbert's  guardian.  Our 
hero  is  of  age,  and  has  assumed  the  charge  of  his 
own  property.  He  is  always  sure  of  a  cordial  wel- 
come from  Mrs.  Briggs  now,  and  Randolph  cultivates 
his  intimacy;  but  Gilbert  does  not  find  him  congenial. 
He  is  inclined  to  be  dissipated,  and,  I  am  afraid, 
will  not  turn  out  well.  But  his  mother  upholds  him 
on  all  occasions ;  and  her  ill-judged  indulgence  is 
partly  the  cause  of  her  son's  lack  of  promise. 


356         SHIFTING   FOR   HIMSELF;    Oil, 

Gilbert  sometimes  visits  the  old  boarding-house. 
Mr.  Ingalls  is  prospering.  Alphonso  Jones  now 
boasts  of  his  intimacy  with  Gilbert.  It  is  rumored 
that  he  has  offered  himself  to  Mrs.  Kinney,  a  young 
widow,  already  mentioned,  and  been  rejected.  His 
heart  is  not  broken,  however ;  and  he  is  now  a  suitor 
for  the  hand  of  Miss  Brintnall,  the  strong-minded 
school-teacher.  She  is  ''high-toned"  in  one  sense, 
at  least,  as  he  will  probably  find  after  marriage. 

The  next  volume  of  this  series  will  be 

Work  and  Hope; 

OR, 

Ben  Bradford's  Motto. 


Famous  Castlemon  Books. 


No  author  of  the  present  day  has  become  a  greater  favorite 
with  boys  tlian  "Harry  Castlemon,"  every  book  by  him  is  sure 
to  meet  with  hearty  reception  by  young  i-eaders  generally.  His 
naturalness  and  vivacity  leads  his  readers  from  page  to  page 
with  breathless  interest,  and  when  one  volume  is  finished  the 
fascinated  reader,  like  Oliver  Twist,  asks  "  for  more." 


By  Harry  iCastlemon, 


GUNBOAT  SERIES.      By  Harry  Castlemon.     In 
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Frank  on  a  Gunboat.     Illustrated.     i6mo i  25 

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2         PORTER  &  COATES'S  POPULAR  JUVENILES. 

Go  Ahead  ;  or,  The  Fisher  Boy's  Motto.     Illustrated. 

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.'CarEPv  &    CCATES'3   POPULAR  JITVENILES.  3 

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By  Horatio  Alger,  3r» 


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Newsboys.     Illustrated.     i6mo I  25 

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Illustrated.       i6mo I  25 

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Ready.     Illustrated.     i6mo i   25 

TATTERED   TOM  SERIES.     (First  Series.) 
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Street  Mercliant.       Illustrated.       i6mo I   25 

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Illustrated.       i6mo I  25 

4 


PORTER  &  COATES'S  POPULAR  JUVENILES.  5 

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lustrated.    i6mo I   25 

Sam's  Chance  and  How  He  Improved  it.     Il- 
lustrated.     i6mo I  25 

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LUCK  AND  PLUCK  SERIES.    (First  Series.) 
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Luck  and  Pluck ;    or,  John  Oakley's  Inheritance. 

Illustrated.       i6mo i   25 

Sink  or  Swim;  or,  Harry  Raymond's  Resolve.     Il- 
lustrated.      i6mo I   25 

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6  PORTER  &  COATES'S  POPULAR  JUVENILES. 

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i6mo I   25 

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By  it.  A.  Stephens* 


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8         PORTER  &  COATES'S  POPULAR  JUVENILES. 

By  3.  Z,  Irouubribge. 


These  stories  will  rank  among  the  best  of  Mr.  Trowbridge's 
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juvenile  literature, 

JACK  HAZARD  SERIES.  By  J.  T.  Trowbridge. 
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Indian  life  and  character  is  equal  to  the  best  of  Cooper, 

BOY  PIONEER  SERIES,     By  Edward  S.  Ellis.      ,^ 
In  box  containing  the  following,     3  vols.    Illustrated, 

Cloth,  extra,  black  and  gold ^3  75 

(Sold  separately.) 

Ned  in  the  Block  House ;  or.  Life  on  the  Frontier, 
Being  the  1st  volume  of  the  "  Boy  Pioneer  Series," 
Illustrated,     i6mo i   25 

Ned  in  the  "Woods,     Being  the  2d  volume  of  the 

"  Boy  Pioneer  Series,"     Illustrated.     i6mo i   25 

Ned  on  the  River.     Being  the  3d  volume  of  the 

'•  Boy  Pioneer  Series,"     Illustrated,     i6mo.    ....       1  25 


